Parents asked to step down from PTA

Those without children in schools should not hold positions in parents' associations, the Ministry of Education has said.

In a letter to all county directors copied to regional directors of education, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang asked those still holding positions in parents teachers associations but have no children in the learning institutions to relinquish them immediately.

The PS said parents' membership to such groups lapse when their children leave the school and that those still clinging to the positions were contravening regulations.

"Consequently those holding office by virtue of being parents will have their terms ending upon exit of their pupils/students. It is therefore in breach of the Act for anyone to continue holding office long after ceasing to be a parent," he said.

This also applies to appointments to boards of management for such parents which he said should be revoked and new officials nominated.

Board of management

Former Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i recently declared the Musau Ndunda-led Kenya National Association of Parents illegal.

Dr Matiang'i said the association was in contravention of the Basic Education Act 2013. This led to the formation of the National Association of Parents, which is chaired by Nicholas Maiyo.

Speaking on the phone, Mr Maiyo said he was not aware of the communication from the ministry and therefore could not comment on the issue. “I have no comment for now,” he said.

Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association Chairman Indimuli Kahi welcomed the directive.

“We concur because once your child has left school you have no business on the platform. So it is fair that a parent who has a child should replace those whose children have left the school,” he said.