The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) is asking the government to allow parents to choose for themselves where they want their children to learn.
Responding to plans by the government to abolish boarding primary schools, KNUT Eldoret East Executive Secretary Sammy Bor said the issue should be subjected to further input from stakeholders.
Bor argues that as much as the current education system demands involvement by both parents and teachers, boarding schools still have their own role in society.
“Education is a right for children as enshrined in the constitution. The issue of where a child should learn rests with a parent. It should be that if a parent feels like boarding is the best option for his/her child well and good, and if they think day school is better, it should also be well and good,” said the KNUT official.
He further points out that the government should not have a final say on the matter.
According to Bor who doubles up as the Rift Valley representative to KNUT’s National Executive Committee (NEC), parents, teachers and even learners should be given an opportunity to present their views before a conclusive decision is made as far as the issue of boarding schools is concerned.
“We need a further conversation on this matter; it should not be conclusive because the effect will be dire for this county. Let’s consult with parents, teachers and even learners themselves. This kind of shift is very critical, it requires critical thinking,” noted the KNUT official.
“The decision by the government should be further looked into before it is given the go-ahead,” he added.
Day schooling
On December 6, 2022, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said the government was mulling introducing day schooling for all grade 1 to 9 learners.
“We must create a way in which we can be with our children and the only way is through day schooling. The first nine years of learning that are Grades 1 to 9, the direction that the government is taking will be day schooling,” the PS said, during the official opening ceremony of the 18th Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) conference in Mombasa.
The policy shift, if implemented, would mean private schools, most of which run boarding primary schools will be required to convert to day schools.
It also means all junior secondary schools will be day schools – especially after the government said they will be domiciled in existing primary schools.
