By Job Weru
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has called on Education Minister Mr Mutula Kilonzo to consult widely over the ban on holiday tuition.
The officials said some schools were rushing to complete the syllabus ahead of the national examinations.
Kuppet officials from 10 counties in Mt Kenya and Central Rift regions lamented that the ban imposed by the minister two weeks ago was punitive to candidates preparing to sit for KCPE and KCSE examinations.
Mr Njogu Mbui, the union’s Mt Kenya region secretary observed that education in Kenya had reached competitive levels, while school terms have been reduced to 38 weeks.
“This means that students and pupils need teachers often, since they are not able to complete the syllabus within the stipulated period,” said Mbui.
Addressing journalists shortly after holding a consultative meeting at Kirimara Springs Hotel in Nanyuki, the officials warned that the ban on holiday tuition was likely to jeorpadise their performance on national examinations.
“Let us not forget the ugly incidents that gripped teachers in underperforming schools who were attacked or even ejected from their schools by angry parents,” he said.
“The minister should understand that the holiday tuition is meant to bridge gaps left in course of the term especially in the syllabus,” said Mbui, who is also the Kirinyaga County Executive Secretary.
The officials warned that after the Government banned tuition, some parents had contracted teachers to coach their pupils at home. “We should not, therefore, cheat ourselves that we have solved the matter since parents are taking such steps to help their children. This is only a disadvantage to learners from poor backgrounds whose parents are not able to pay teachers,” said Mbui.
The officials at the same time warned that they would go on strike at the beginning of next term if the government fails to honour their demands to harmonise their salaries and allowances.
Mr Muriuki Nyamu, the Nyeri County Executive Secretary noted that Teachers Service Commission had conceded there are discrepancies in remuneration and the matter was forwarded to the Salaries and Remuneration Committee.
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