Ministry bans holiday tuition
Education PS Karega Mutahi (right) accompanied by Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi and Esther Musani, Principal Kibuk Girls Secondary School in Mt Elgon District at the school on Tuesday. The Education PS was on a fact finding mission to assess damages on schools following land clashes in the area. Photo/JARED NYATAYA
What you need to know:
- PS says learners need to rest and warns heads to observe directive.
- Order applies to both private and government schools.
- Some secondary schools still have plans for holiday teaching in August.
The Government has banned holiday tuition and warned all school heads to observe the directive.
Education permanent secretary Karega Mutahi said that children needed to rest during the holidays and termed the extra learning as “prison tuition”.
Prof Mutahi was addressing education stakeholders in Kitale Town.
However, he said that the ministry would only allow remedial teaching aimed at assisting weak students, but only with the supervision of education officials.
The PS said the directive applies to both private and government schools.
Prof Mutahi, who was flanked by local education officials, Kitale Catholic Bishop Maurice Crowley and Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa, said the Government was going to act tough on students who took part in strikes.
Doing away with holiday tuition has since received support from many players in the education sector, including the National Parents Association.
But a spot check by the Nation on Tuesday showed that some secondary schools still had plans for holiday teaching this month.
Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association chairman Cleophas Tirop praised the decision, saying it would help students relax after a long term. “Parents also need to spend time with their children,” he added.
Mr Tirop said that teachers would rather organise for remedial classes during the term to complete the syllabus than interfere with the learners’ holidays.
He also warned that some teachers used the holiday tuition to exploit parents by charging e
The Government has banned holiday tuition and warned all school heads to observe the directive.
Education permanent secretary Karega Mutahi said that children needed to rest during the holidays and termed the extra learning as “prison tuition”.
xorbitant fees.
Kenya National Union of Teachers echoed the sentiments, saying it was a belated idea. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” the Knut chairman, Mr David Wesonga, said.
The call to abolish the holiday tuition comes after more than 300 secondary schools countrywide were affected by student riots last term.
Students interviewed by the parliamentary team on education led by Mosop MP David Koech have complained of an overloaded curriculum and longer terms in school.
In Kisii, Education minister Sam Ongeri said that the Government had employed 333 extra quality assurance officers to ensure that quality education was offered at all learning institutions in the country.
Reported by George Omonso, Benjamin Muindi and Angwenyi Gichana
