Devolve education roles, say senators

A group of senators want some education functions to be devolved to enable governors expand schools. Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said this would help promote equitable access of education.

“Infrastructure development should be the preserve of the county governments. This would help create a level playground and prevent a situation where national schools are concentrated in one region,” said Dr Khalwale in Nairobi on Monday.

However, he said national examinations and teachers’ welfare should remain under the national government. This, Dr Khalwale said, would avert cases where each county sets its own standards for testing students and remunerating teachers.

He said in the Constitution, services should be taken closer to people. Dr Khalwale said Agriculture and Health functions, which are devolved, have already made an impact.

Dr Khalwale regretted that some counties were grappling with few teachers for Early Childhood Education (ECE). He accused Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi of concentrating on national functions.

“Some counties like Lamu struggled to recruit an additional 50 ECD teachers,” he said.

Mr Daniel Karaba (Kirinyaga, TNA) said counties want to hire more ECD teachers but have put the plans on hold due to a court case.

“Unions went to court demanding that the responsibility to employ teachers be left to the Teachers Service Commission,” said Mr Karaba.

He told Prof Kaimenyi to pay attention to beginners who need a solid foundation in their education.

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy said he opposed the holiday tuition ban. He said students in some counties need additional classes to compete favourably.

“Some schools in Lamu had no syllabus. We need the extra classes to improve education standards,” the he said.

Reference : www.nation.co.ke