Magoha Defends Boarding Schools, Says they are among the best managed in Kenya.
Prof George Magoha, Cabinet Secretary for Education, has finally responded to calls for the abolition of boarding schools in the country.
Magoha, who was on an inspection tour of ongoing classroom construction across the country on Wednesday, January 12, disagreed with proposals to abolish boarding schools.
Magoha defended the existence of boarding schools, noting that they are among the best managed in the country, during a speech at Muturi Girls High School in Kirinyaga Central.
He urged those pushing for the agenda to reconsider their priorities, stating that the ministry of education will devise alternative methods of dealing with the rising cases of indiscipline.
“Why would one imagine that we want to dismantle boarding schools, it doesn’t make sense. Mine is to see we have to remain firm. With those few schools where students have defeated their parents at home and they are bringing that rowdy attitude in schools we should be able to deal with them,” Magoha maintained.
“Perhaps rather than abolishing boarding schools, we should get approved boarding schools which will deal with these kinds of activities firmly.”
Headteachers Give Demands on Abolishment of Boarding Schools
“Perhaps, rather than abolishing boarding schools, we should establish approved boarding schools that will deal firmly with these types of activities.”
Representatives of the Kenya Primary Schools Headteachers Association (KePSHA) advocated for the abolition of boarding schools, claiming that it is the best solution to student unrest.
“KEPSHA proposes that secondary schools become day schools so that parents are involved in raising their children,” they stated in a statement presented by National Secretary Philip Mitei during a delegates’ conference in Mombasa in December 2021.
“We will collaborate with the Kenya National Parents’ Association to promote strong partnership, coordination, and parental engagement to help children’s re-entry to schools and 100 percent transition from primary to secondary," the statement continued.
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However, Magoha has stated that only approved schools will be introduced and that boarding schools will not be abolished.
Concerning the ongoing school construction, the CS stated that on Thursday, January 13, he will commission the first complete classroom in Unguja, Siaya county.
He directed the county commissioners and their deputies to award contracts to the next available contractor so that all progress is made at the same rate.
Magoha Defends Boarding Schools, Says they are among the best managed in Kenya
