By AUGUSTINE ODUOR
Secondary school head teachers want elections to be held in December to avoid a clash with the school calendar.
The over 6,000 principals from across the country also want to be involved in voter education in the run-up to the General Election.
They said a March 2013 poll, as was announced by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), will interfere with school calendar and asked the commission to re-consider the date.
The educators also demanded that teachers wishing to vie for certain positions be given temporary leave to contest and thereafter return to classes if they lose elections.
The call comes barely a day after Education minister Mutula Kilonzo said holding elections in March will greatly interfere with school programmes.
The minister said it would be better if the election date is changed with respect to school calendar so that studies are not disrupted.
Other options
Speaking Monday in Mombasa, school heads said teachers have for many years participated as election officials and noted that such a national exercise will keep teachers away from school and disrupt learning process.
Even though teachers unions have spoken against the poll date, this is the first time head teachers are coming out strongly to reject the date.
However, in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Joel Aboga, IEBC chairman Issack Hassan said the commission’s position on election date is known but said other options are still open. “The commission ignited debate by stating its position. But there are many options subject to many other reasons,” he said.
Mr Hassan challenged teachers to play an active role in educating Kenyans on the need to vote to enhance democracy.
He said the commission is tasked with restoring voter confidence as it had dipped by 27 per cent after the 2007 disputed elections.
