Here Is CS Magoha’s Latest Statement on Boarding Schools
The Cabinet Secretary for Education has refuted a proposal of closing 4,000 boarding schools immediately. He insisted that every case will be handled based on its merit.
“Although there is a thinking in that direction, we do not have any plan to abolish the 4,000 boarding schools. It will be gradual. We may have start-ups which will be day schools,” said CS Magoha.
The move to abolish boarding schools is likely to mean an increase in the number of day-schools in the country. Some stakeholders of education are of the opinion that the move to abolish boarding schools is with the view of ending student unrest in schools.
“It has never been a policy to abolish boarding schools. It is not an issue to bother anybody at the moment,” said CS Magoha on Monday while attending a workshop for education officials in the coast region.
The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) task force proposed doing away with boarding schools in primary schools and proposed the introduction of junior secondary schools (JSS) in the new curriculum. The CBC is also referred to as the 2-6-3-3-3 education system.
The stakeholders supporting the move feel that it will do away with unnecessary expenses and make learning more affordable for guardians and parents.
The removal of the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination after the 6th year of education in primary schools. However, the task force suggested if it is to be done then it should be done at the end of senior secondary which will then help in the placement of students in tertiary institutions.
According to the provisions of the CBC, learners spend two years in pre-primary, six years in primary school, three years in junior secondary, and three more years in senior secondary schools.
The CBC rendered the 8-4-4 system a gradual elimination, ending a 17-year period that the 8-4-4 reigned in schools. The numbers 8-4-4 and 2-6-3-3-3 represent the numbers of years learners spend in primary and secondary schools. However, the 2-6-3-3-3 involves the introduction of a junior secondary level of education.
According to the Education Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), Dr. Sarah Ruto the new system will ensure parents spend more quality time with their children and help in their upbringing which the 8-4-4 system did not promote.
Dr. Sarah added that learners have been spending most of their time in schools especially those who are taken to boarding schools throughout their life in school.
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