Fredrick Odiero
Primary school heads in the country now want the government to review upwards capitation funds given to pupils on the premise that they are inadequate.
The Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) chairman, Johnson Nzioka, said many primary schools were experiencing difficulties in terms of operations due to the limited funds given by the government.
Mr Nzioka noted that the Sh1000 to each pupil was extremely low.
The chairman was speaking at Nyamasaria Primary School in Kisumu East Sub County during their Eastern region annual KEPSHA meeting.
Nzioka said the least amount which could have been given by the government is Sh4,500 but rated an ideal figure at Sh8,300.
Saying free education is untenable the world over, the chairman felt there was need to look into the mental wellbeing of teachers.
He divulged that they have already entered into an agreement with the Chiromo Group of Hospitals, in which the health institution will help them train teachers on psychiatric issues.
Nzioka said teachers who have been trained will later escalate the same to the lowest levels.
He said many teachers were silently undergoing psychiatric problems, with dire consequences looming large.
Nzioka said primary schools are ready to implement the competence-based curriculum (CBC) in addition to embracing Teachers Professional Development (TPD).
The chairman urged school heads to collaborate with teachers and stakeholders in order to uplift their performances.
Nzioka restated that good performance required collaboration interfaced with with a lot of dialogue.
“You should make sure that you understand the needs and problems of your staff members,” he said.
Kisumu East Kenya national Union of Teachers executive secretary David Obuon said they will cooperate with school heads at all levels, noting schools heads and KNUT members complement one another at the end of the day.
