By Norah Musega
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Migori branch Chairman Henry Otunga has disputed the directive by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha to school heads asking them not to send learners home for school fees.
Otunga said the directive does not make sense as students receive various services at their respective learning institutions that are costly.
He however urged the CS through the Ministry of Education to increase capitation to schools to help cushion the less privileged parents with payment of the boarding fees.
“Instead of the CS giving such directives, he ought to have put measures in place that would help see the increase of government capitation to schools. His statement might only cause problems in schools for the administrators once they are unable to bills and feed the learners,” warned Otunga.
The unionist called on cooperation from parents to minimize interference of learning processes in schools by paying school fees in time.
“This is the only year that we shall have two sets of candidates sitting for their national exams in a single year and therefore this means that the teachers are busy and strained. Parents must therefore join hands together with teachers to ensure the students are well prepared for the national exams and pay fees in time to keep them in school to maximize the limited time,” said Otunga.
He however applauded the ministry on the positive progressive steps made towards preparations to implement CBC in junior secondary schools across the country, challenging Teachers Service Commission to prepare teachers in good time so as to ensure content delivery in due time.
His sentiments were echoed by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Migori branch Executive Secretary Caleb Opondi who also urged parents to cooperate with teachers for successful in the implementation of CBC to junior secondary schools by the pioneer class who will write their grade six national exams in December this year.
