Education PS announces change of plans in abolishing boarding in primary schools
Education PS, Dr. Belio Kipsang announces a change of plans in abolishing boarding in primary schools
Education PS, Dr. Belio Kipsang announces a change of plans in abolishing boarding in primary schools.
On Wednesday, December 7, Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang announced that the intention to abolish the boarding system from Grades 1 through 9 would not apply in dry and semi-arid regions.
In a statement to the media, Kipsang said the action would allow parents in those regions to look for a means of support and grazing for the cattle.
The PS for Education further stressed that eliminating boarding will strengthen student-parent relationships.
“When their parents go out to look for pasture, we want to ensure the children are in school. We are encouraging all our junior secondary schools to be an environment that allows children to be close and bond with their parents.
“For the existing boarding facilities, the communities and the state will agree on the way forward,” Kipsang stated.
PS Belio emphasized once more that the proposal to eliminate boarding schools will increase access to higher education.
According to Kipsang, county schools charge extra money for boarding in their school fees which range between Ksh45,000 and Ksh53,000 in annual fees.
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From different education stakeholders, the elimination of boarding in primary schools evoked conflicting responses.
Collins Oyuu, secretary-general of the Kenya National Union of Teachers, supported the initiative and noted that parents struggled to pay the tuition so that their children could continue attending school. However, he demanded that the government carry out the plan in stages.
“The idea being propelled in the education sector is to make education affordable. Boarding schools are expensive,” Oyuu stated.
Julius Melly, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, concurred, adding that parents had left their responsibilities to the teachers.
“Many parents wish that all their children be in boarding schools. Many of us don’t know our children. Let all the schools be day schools.” he stated.
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