The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has called on the government to assist private schools in building enough classrooms with the transition of learners to Junior Secondary School looming.
According to KUPPET’s Secretary-General Akello Misori, the construction of classrooms and the preparations for transition should be elaborate to avoid subjecting education to profit-making ventures and avoid unnecessary competition.
“Education is good for the public. The Minister of Education should provide incentives for developers of private schools to build capacity and ensure standards are maintained across all schools,” said Akello Misori.
Misori was speaking a day after the Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof George Magoha called on private schools to build stand-alone institutions for junior secondary.
“Primary schools can create stand-alone junior schools. It is a win-win situation,” said Prof George Magoha at the annual Kenya Private Schools Association conference that was held in Mombasa on July 5.
On his part, Misoru also said that the government should not neglect its responsibility and should also give guidelines for implementation.
Private schools on their part have also begun lobbying the government to place learners in their junior secondary schools.
The Chairperson of the Kenya Private Schools Association Benson Mutua revealed that the government should be placing learners in junior secondary schools at the same time when the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) are placed in their respective institutions by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
According to Mutua, this will stop the discrimination that happens against private schools which supplement the government’s programmes of education as well as provide high-quality education.
Mutua implored the ministry of education to include private schools in the selection committee for Grade 7 learners.
Besides, Mutual urged the government to allow private schools to host and reduce congestion that occurs in public schools.
“The government should utilize private schools to help in reducing the 100 per cent transition from primary schools to junior secondary schools,” said Mutua.
Mutua argued that most private schools are actually cheaper than public schools and that the Ministry of Education should consider placing those learners who cannot travel from their homes in nearby private schools that provide excellent services and education.