New rules to restrict setting up of schools

The Education ministry has proposed to restrict the creation of new schools to ensure efficient use of resources and even distribution of teachers.

A draft Basic Education Regulations 2014 that is under validation recommends that new institutions should be created only in places where none exists within three kilometres for rural areas and one kilometre for urban areas.

The regulations also prohibit the establishment of new schools in areas that have learning institutions with unutilised classrooms or undeveloped space.

Interest groups, including a teachers’ union, have supported the proposals, setting the stage for their implementation once gazetted by Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi.

If the regulations are approved, the setting up of new public schools will not be allowed in areas that have schools with enrolment of less than 600 learners; have less than three streams per class; where there is acute shortage of teaching staff and the catchment area is under-populated.

The Taskforce on Secondary School Fees, which was chaired by former assistant minister Kilemi Mwiria, in its interim report to Prof Kaimenyi, recommended a halt in the setting up of new schools.

MERGING

It further proposed the merging of those with less than 180 learners.

The draft regulations require people wishing to establish new schools or training institutions to first notify in writing their respective county education boards.

The applicant will be required to state the location, the highest level of instruction and the available capital outlay for the proposed institution.
The board will then make recommendations to the applicant within 30 days after visiting the site.

The regulations further state that no person, body, organisation or institution shall establish a public middle level college without obtaining a written authority of the Cabinet Secretary.

For an institution to be registered, it will be required to show ownership of land and a recent evaluation report duly signed by an officer from the education standards quality assurance council.

It will also be required to have a recent public health assessment report, duly signed by a public health officer, and an environment impact assessment report, duly signed by an officer from National Environment Management Authority.

For sponsored public schools, the name of the sponsor will appear in the registration certificate.

The institutions will be required to have sufficient space for basic physical infrastructure and 10 per cent space for circulation and free play.
The regulations also contain the requirements for land size and school re-registration, among others.