Teachers who increase fees are economic saboteurs

By MACHEL WAIKENDA

twitter@MachelWaikenda

The key foundation to a country’s future is primarily anchored on the quality and affordability of education.

Kenya distinguished herself from other developing countries in terms of school enrollment since inception of Free Primary Education (FPE) and affordable secondary education.

In fact, a story is told that when Peter Jennings posed the question about which single living person he would most like to meet, former US president Bill Clinton told ABC’s Primetime TV, he would like to meet President Kibaki. Mr Kibaki then invited Mr Clinton to come and see how the free programme was being implemented.

Clinton’s remarks were neither misplaced nor was he misquoted. The FPE programme is one of Kibaki’s most enduring legacies. Indeed, the world’s oldest enrolled primary school pupil Kimani Maruge (R.I.P) went on to become a global icon and inspiration to learners worldwide and even has a Hollywood Box Office movie to immortalise his feat.

Yes, there has been tremendous improvement to access to primary, secondary and post-secondary education at tertiary level with increased number of universities, technical colleges and youth polytechnics.

The high enrollment rate is a common denominator for all developing nations in driving better education levels, and Kenya’s thirst has its roots in the statement of intent of the founding fathers who vowed to banish illiteracy, ill health, hunger and poverty.

Education is one of the key agendas by the Jubilee administration and is seen in the concerted efforts to raise quality of education through subsidies to make it affordable, distribute laptops to bring learners at par with the digital age and ensuring teachers are well remunerated to stem brain drain.

With the aftershock of a global economic recession, many Kenyans who are stuck below the poverty line sighed with relief since inception of FPE and affordable secondary and tertiary education. This is one citizen benefit the Jubilee administration must safeguard at all cost.

It is therefore heartbreaking that some school heads are introducing extra charges that seek to undermine the government policy to provide affordable education across board. The President and many stakeholders have come down hard to caution against such usury.

Millions of students granted this lease of life to shape their destiny must not be deprived by agents of criminality. Such deprivation of such fundamental rights; particularly right to education by unscrupulous public servants mandated to facilitate and oversee smooth implementation of such critical government policies must be dealt with decisively as they are enemies of progress.

According to the Basic Education Act 2013 Section 29, which spells out fees regulations, public secondary schools should not charge more than Sh18,435 (for boarding) and Sh3,600 (day school). Violation of these regulations is abuse of office, fraudulent and, therefore, criminal.

President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have committed to eradicating corruption in all sectors including the education system — which is the gateway to future leadership and a critical tool of socio-economic and political advancement.

They have severally reiterated government’s commitment to providing quality, accessible and affordable education.

The growing tendency by head teachers to levy illegal charges on pupils and students majority of whom are from humble backgrounds not only stifles their academic future but is tantamount to criminal activity. This is patently manifested by president’s directive that all culpable school heads be prosecuted.

The Teachers Service Commission, must take charge to clear any form of laxity that has necessitated rogue boards and school heads to harshly exploit poor parents and the needy students.

All Kenyans should have access to affordable, quality primary, secondary and tertiary education or skills training, and their career options should be shaped by ability and interest, not students burdened by loan debt, especially those generated unscrupulously.

Every patriotic Kenyan has the right and obligation to fight against a the few preying upon and seeking to deny our poor brothers and sisters a chance to enjoy the government-sponsored education that is meant to be affordable, accessible and beneficial to all.

The writer is a political and communications consultant