Publishers threaten to move to court over textbooks ‘illegally’ distributed

By LONAH KIBET

Publishers have threatened to move to court if the government does not withdraw textbooks they allege were illegally distributed to various public primary schools early this month.

Through the Kenya Publishers Association (KPA), publishers are accusing the government of colluding with NGOs to supply textbooks that have not been subjected to proper scrutiny.

KPA gave the government within 14 days to withdraw the textbooks.

“We addressed an urgent letter to the Education cabinet secretary Jacob Kaimenya on Friday last week but he is yet to reply. This matter should be dealt with urgently. Once the seven-day ultimatum elapses, we will give an extension of another seven days and if nothing will have been done by then we will have no option but to seek legal action,” said KPA chairman Lawrence Njagi.

Njagi said the due process was not followed because the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) was yet to vet and approve the learning materials.

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“The names of the approved list of textbooks and other instructional materials are published in the Orange Book and these books are not there,” said Njagi.

In the national policy document of 1998 on procurement and supply for primary schools, Kenya Institute of Education, now KICD, is mandated to receive textbooks from publishers and carry out independent evaluation, vetting and approval of all books to be used in schools.

The books in contention are Standard One and Two Kiswahili, English and mathematics textbooks that have already been distributed for free.

KPA want the books already in schools in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kisumu, Bungoma, Nakuru and Kakamega withdrawn and vetting at the proper institution done.

“Let us all be on the same playing field. All books should be submitted to KICD, vetted and if approved, put in the orange book. We let the teachers choose which ones to use on their students,” he said.

He said the quality of the books in terms of paper colour and general layout of text is poor.