By Asa Maina
Teachers shortage is the biggest challenge facing schools at all levels according to parents.
According to findings released by Twaweza, 40 per cent of parents questioned said pre-primary is the worst hit.
46 per cent said primary while 35 per cent said secondary schools were the worst hit.
22 per cent of citizens, which is the largest group, also named teacher shortages as the main challenge arising from making education free, followed closely by 20 per cent who blamed poor teacher performance.
The report was based on data from Sauti za Wananchi, through mobile phone survey.
“The findings are based on data collected from 1,703 respondents across Kenya between October and November 2017. Although they are consistent about what challenges seem prevalent in the sector, Kenyans are divided on whether the quality of education has improved or deteriorated since schools became free,” noted the report.
Some 42 per cent believed quality of education has improved while 32 per cent believed it has deteriorated.
The research also revealed that a large majority of citizens are also unaware of recent education reforms. Curriculum changes were most well-known and were mentioned by one out of four citizens. But 58 per cent of citizens could not name any reforms at all and 10 per cent mentioned a reform that has not happened.
“Citizens are also disengaged from school finances: only three per cent can correctly state the amount of money government sends to primary and secondary schools per student in replacement for school fees,” stated a press release by Twaweza.
About 76 per cent of citizens do not know if this money arrives at their local school while the same number says they have never been to school to look for information about finances.
However, 81 per cent think they have a role to play in improving the quality of education in the country and in some ways they are actively fulfilling their obligations. About 80 per cent of citizens visit their children’s school and discuss learning with teachers at least once a term.
Half of parents also help their children with homework more than twice a term, although 19 per cent never do.
Victor Rateng of Sauti za Wananchi at Twaweza, said citizens are engaged and interested in their children’s education. However, there is an emphasis on individual actions such as helping with homework or talking with teachers. Citizens are unlikely to be engaged with school finances and systems.
