Plan to hire 5,000 extra tutors is a drop in the ocean, State told

Secondary school head teachers Sunday criticised the Government's plan to hire 5,000 extra teachers, saying the number was insufficient as the shortage had swelled to 87,000.

The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) said a teacher shortage and failure by the Government to review the education curriculum for the last 30 years had affected the provision of quality education in schools.

Kessha Chairman John Awiti said the shortage in both secondary and primary schools had increased to 87,000, up from 80,000, and that the plan to hire 5,000 was "a drop in the ocean".

The association also asked the Government to stop the parents associations' charge on schools, saying the fees structures had not given provision on how the head teachers would raise the money.

"We have two registered parents' associations and one of them is charging schools a registration fee of Sh5,000, certification fee of Sh2,000 and Sh10,000 for operation costs. It is sad that instead of the parents paying for children's education costs, it is now the other way round," said Mr Awiti.

Speaking in Mombasa, Awiti said some schools in Nyamira, Baringo, Uasin Gishu and Turkana counties had already paid the Sh17,000 to the association. However, he did not clarify which of the associations - National Parents Association or Parents Teachers Association - was levying the schools.

Awiti said the meeting would address many issues, among them the problem of insecurity, the teacher shortage and the need to review the education curriculum.

Addressing the media on the issues to be deliberated over at the 40th annual secondary schools heads conference in Mombasa, Awiti said some schools were still closed in some parts across the country due to insecurity.

"Our children are being denied the right to exploit their talents. We must expand our curriculum because it is unacceptable that it has not been reviewed in the last 30 years," said Awiti. He added some children had not gone to school in North Eastern, Baringo, Turkana and Pokot because of insecurity.

"This is one of the issues we will need a clarification on from the Government given that although insecurity is affecting all Kenyans, the education sector is the worst hit," said Awiti.

Kessha also called on the Government to increase the capitation for secondary school students from Sh10,000 to Sh12,000 and to disburse the money before the start of the school term.