Matiang’i: Order on school books to stay

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i (right) and Commission for University Education Chairman Henry Thairu during a press conference at Jogoo House, Nairobi, on January 27, 2016. Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has maintained that the government will take over procurement of books for public schools. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has maintained that the government will take over procurement of books for public schools.
  • Dr Matiang’i said the current system had failed as books were not in schools despite the government spending more than Sh10 billion on publications for the last three years.
  • Kenya Book Sellers Association Chairman Arthur Kamau said the decision to have a new policy was illegal and warned of court action.
  • However, Dr Matiang’i said he was ready to meet them in court, adding that he would not preside over wastage of government resources.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has maintained that the government will take over procurement of books for public schools.

Dr Matiang’i said the current system had failed as books were not in schools despite the government spending more than Sh10 billion on publications for the last three years.

“I have written to EACC to carry out a review of text book purchase. Those found culpable, be they from the ministry headquarters or schools, will be dealt with accordingly,” the minister said.

He added that a new policy on book supply to schools must be ready by June 30, saying a system would be agreed upon on Wednesday next week at a stakeholders’ meeting.

When he met Kenya Publishers Association Chairman David Waweru and other members on Thursday, Dr Matiang’i said no form of intimidation would compel the government to reverse the decision.

NEW POLICY ILLEGAL

Kenya Book Sellers Association Chairman Arthur Kamau said the decision to have a new policy was illegal and warned of court action.

However, Dr Matiang’i said he was ready to meet them in court, adding that he would not preside over wastage of government resources.

“My impromptu visits to schools show that 12 pupils share a text book in some institutions. In others, it is five while some schools have achieved the 1:1 ratio,” he said.

Mr Waweru said the government was losing billions of shillings to corruption networks. He added that about 50 per cent books in schools were pirated.

Dr Matiang’i asked publishers to tap into digital market to reduce piracy.

A Unesco report released last month said Kenya could save about Sh6.4 billion every year if it improved on textbook procurement in public schools.

The report criticised the mode of delivery of books to schools, saying sellers and middlemen made learning materials expensive.

According to the report, books in Kenya were 2.5 times more expensive than in other Africa countries.