The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) in Kisumu County has strongly condemned the Ministry of Education for its mishandling of three critical matters affecting the education sector.
The union singled out the recent improper disbursement of Sh22 billion as a capitation for term two to aid learners in all public schools.
The union officials led by Knut Executive Secretary Kisumu West, Edward Olando, Knut Executive Secretary Nyanza Region, David Obuon, and Knut Executive Secretary Nyando Sub-County, Ephraim Kananga, also demanded proper capitation rates and appropriate circulars for each student.
Leading the onslaught, officials from the County described the process for distributing the Sh22 billion school capitation as shrouded in a lot of mystery.
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“If school administrators are given Ksh84, Ksh2, 000, and Ksh4, 000, how much is that supposed to cover for the students? The government needs to clarify whether they can truly fund free primary education, which is a right for every child,” they stated during a press conference held at Jaramogi Oginga Sports Ground –Kisumu.
Olando, who doubles up as the KNUT NEC Person with Disabilities (PWDs), expressed his displeasure at the continued intimidation head teachers face when trying to raise complaints.
Additionally, the officials voiced their concerns about the impending introduction of the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS), which is set to replace the current NEMIS.
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“Teachers remain a frustrated lot as the system always cherry-picks which students’ names remain in the system. The rest are marked red in less than a minute after uploading,” they said.
They said NEMIS is solely intended to collect, process and give statistical data on schools, students, and teachers’ performances. On the other hand, they said, KEMIS is used to gradually monitor the performance of learners and teachers from Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) to Institutions of Higher Learning. “It’s also used to efficiently and effectively manage education resources,” they said.
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On May 21st, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed the release of Ksh22 billion as a capitation for Term 2 for learners in all public schools.
According to Ogamba, Ksh1.37 billion, Ksh8.9 billion, Ksh118 million and Ksh11.6 billion were disbursed for Free Primary Education, Free Day Junior School Education, Junior School Special Needs Education, and Free Day Secondary Education respectively.
The promotion of 25,252 teachers by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is also facing headwinds from the National Assembly’s Committee on Education.
TSC conducted interviews in January and February, but the ‘promoted teachers’ celebrations were short-lived as the legislators have rejected the list after the Tinderet MP Julius Melly-led committee, questioned the criteria used, terming the whole process skewed.
Also in contestation is the promotion of 5,291 teachers who have worked for less than six months in their present job groups.
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The officails vehemently opposed the reduction of the number of designated hardship areas and allowances.Its paid to teachers serving in remote, arid, and difficulty prone areas.
The officials said public schools’ management remains at a crossroads on how to adequately spend the ‘meagre amounts’ to offset the pending bills.
The union officials pointed out that this trend might lead to a steep rise in mental health cases.
By Fredrick Odiero
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