It may soon be illegal to force your child to repeat classes

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi(C) with Department of Research and Develpment (DRMD) Director General Robert Ombakho(R) and Eng.Lebanon Muchuma(L) addresses the media after the CS was shown the newly invented Hydropedal boat at the National Cereals and Produce Board in Nairobi on Tuesday 28/07/15. [PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi has urged MPs to support a proposed law that details new reporting times for schools, bans forcing pupils to repeat classes and having them sit promotional exams.

Prof Kaimenyi said once the much-awaited reforms are in place, the sector would see children enjoy a conducive learning atmosphere necessary for posting good academic results.

The proposed law, if approved, will see all public primary and secondary schools in the country get electricity by the end of this year.

"We are proposing that no child will remain in one class for more than a year, meaning it will be straight from Standard One to Eight and from Form One to Four," he said.

The law has also banned promotional examinations for children advancing to the next class.

Speaking during the Embu County Academic Excellency Day at Kangaru Boys High School, Kaimenyi (below) said children must report to class by 7.30am.

"When children report to school between 5am and 6am, it interferes with their physiological development, which in turn retards their thinking and growth abilities," he said.

On the unpaid billions in teachers' salaries awarded by the court recently, Kaimenyi said high-level consultations were going on between top State organs and his ministry to avert a crisis.

He called for patience as the matter is being addressed by stakeholders. Kaimenyi also criticised  some school heads who divert funds meant for maintenance and development of their institutions.

He said it is common to find magnificent school gates, which were last painted 20 years ago while money for maintenance is always remitted to the schools. He said head teachers will be held accountable for such diversions.

 "It has come to our notice that some parents nowadays abandon their children and abdicate their roles to the teachers yet a child is supposed to be cared for by both the father and the mother," he said.