KUPPET Want State To Support Private Schools In CBC Transition.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) is now asking the government to help private schools build adequate classrooms to prepare for junior secondary school transition.
KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori stated that classroom construction and general transition preparations must be elaborate in order to avoid subjecting education to a profit-making venture and avoid cutthroat competition.
“Education is a public good. The minister of education should provide incentives for private school developers to build capacity and ensure standards are maintained across all schools, whether private or public,” said Mr Misori.
“We subject schools to cut-throat competition, turning education into a profit-making venture. This leads to so much wastage because many bright and talented minds cannot afford schools with the best resources,” he added.
Mr Misori spoke a day after Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Professor George Magoha requested that private schools build stand-alone institutions to anchor junior high schools.
“We are telling the private primary schools that you can create stand-alone junior schools. It’s a win-win situation,” said Prof Magoha at the annual Kenya Private Schools Association conference held in Mombasa on July 5.
On the other hand, Mr. Misori stated that the Ministry of Education should not abdicate its responsibility and should also provide implementation guidelines.
Private schools have been urging the government to place students in their junior secondary schools next year.
Benson Mutua, chairman of the Kenya Private Schools Association’s secondary sub-committee, believes the Education Ministry should use the same selection method as the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service.
Mr Mutua said in Mombasa that the move will end discrimination against private schools that supplement government education programs and provide high-quality education.
He requested that the ministry include private schools on the selection committee for Grade Seven students.
Mr Mutua believes that because private schools have adequate space, the government should allow them to host and relieve congestion in public secondary schools.
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“The government should use private schools to help in the 100 percent transition from primary schools to junior secondary.”
According to Mr Mutua, most private schools are less expensive than public schools, and the government should consider enrolling those who cannot travel far from their homes in good nearby private schools.
KUPPET Want State To Support Private Schools In CBC Transition
