Teachers want December election date

By Augustine Oduor

Secondary School Head Teachers in Kenya now want the election date be set for December 2012 as opposed to March 2013 to avoid a clash with the school calendar.

The over 6,000 Secondary School Heads from across the country holding their 37th annual conference at the Wild Waters Center in Mombasa also want to be involved in voter education in the run up to general election.

They said a March 2013 poll as was announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission will interfere with the school calendar and asked the Commission to re consider the date.

The educators also demanded that teachers wishing to vie for certain positions be granted temporary leave to contest and be allowed to return when they lose elections because of the growing teacher shortage.

The call comes as parents also rejected the March election date as announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and barely a day after education minister Mutula Kilonzo said the current placement of the general election in the month of March will greatly interfere with studies for students.

The minister said it would be better that the election date be changed with respect to the school term so that studies are not disrupted in future.

Speaking on Monday, the school heads said teachers have for many years participated as election officials and noted that such a national exercise will keep teachers away from school and disrupt learning process.

Election date options

Even though teacher unions have spoken against the poll date, this is the first time individual teachers have come out strongly to reject the election date.

But in a speech read on his behalf by Joel Aboga, IEBC chairman Isaack Hassan said the Commissions position on the election date is known but said other options are still open.

“The Commission ignited a debate by telling its position. But there are many options subject to many other reasons,” he said.

Hassan challenged teachers to play an active role in educating Kenyans on the need to vote to enhance democracy.

He said the Commission is tasked with restoring voter confidence as it had dipped by some 27 per cent since the 2007 disputed elections.

He said the Commission will launch voter registration this August and noted that some 18 million voters are targeted.

“We want teachers to participate fully in this process and help educate the public on the need to conduct themselves properly during the exercise,” he said.

But the teachers said the election date ought to be revised saying the campaigns and subsequent elections would significantly affect learning.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers earlier said first term is a crucial term for any interruptions.

The two unions united to call for a December poll to avert possible effect on 2013’s standard eight and form four candidates.

“Most schools are used as polling centers. And a good number are used as tallying centers. This means that all schools will have to close because of elections,” said Knut secretary general Okuta Osiany.

Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (Kessha) national chairman Cleopas Tirop termed the development, as unfortunate.

“We cannot keep children in school during election period. They would rather be with their parents or guardians,” he said.

Education secretary George Godia said the ministry will assess the dates and craft a possible program for that period.

Osiany however said that schools may remain closed longer in case of a re-run as provided for in the constitution.

“We just revised the term dates and we are not going to engage in another revision of term dates. We must respect the education of our children just as much as we need elections,” he said.

The Kenya National Parents and Teachers Association chair Nathan Baraza said examination registration will be interrupted if elections are to be held in March.

“They should know that parents toil to get school fees for first term as it comes barely a week after December holidays. It will be costly for parents to send children to school and recall them because of elections,” he said.