Private schools asked to admit more pupils

By Augustine Oduor

Private schools have been asked to absorb some of the many pupils who have not yet had a chance to enrol in school.

Leah Rotich, director of Basic Education in the Ministry of Education, said about 1.9 million children have not yet enrolled.

"This is a large number, and we ask private institutions to take in some of these pupils," she said yesterday, during prize giving day at Moi Educational Centre, Nairobi.

She said private institutions have demonstrated they can do better and asked the institutions to think of getting more pupils in class.

Mrs Rotich also challenged parents and teachers to provide an enabling environment for pupils to learn.

"You must ensure an enabling environment and put up infrastructures for effective curriculum delivery. You must also exercise sound management of finances and other resources," she said.

She said all education stakeholders must execute their roles judiciously and teachers, parents, and pupils must observe discipline.

School principal, Philemon Chebii, said if schools have adequate facilities and avail them to be used by the pupils, good results would be achieved.

"It is our responsibility to provide for these pupils. And the goal is to succeed by having a clear roadmap," he added.

Teachers’ insurance

Mrs Rotich also lauded the school for investing heavily on information technology, adding it was the next emphasis in education sector.

"I was happy to see primary school children access the Kenya Institute of Education website to see what the institution does … that is impressive," she said.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers has entered a deal with the Government that will see teachers benefit from a proposed medical insurance scheme.

Kuppet Secretary-General Njeru Kanyamba said the medical scheme would give teachers access to quality medical care. He said the agreement would also benefit the staff of the Teachers Service Commission.

Yesterday, Kanyamba and Kuppet National Executive Council members met Public Service Minister, Dalmas Otieno, to discuss the insurance deal.

Documents availed to The Standard On Saturday showed the proposed insurance scheme was likely to benefit members of the rival Kenya National Union of Teachers, as well.

At least 260,144 teachers will benefit from the deal once the Cabinet approves the proposal.

The scheme will benefit the principal member, and three other dependants.

Kanyamba said the scheme would reduce the high level of absenteeism in schools among teachers due to sickness.

"They will now get better treatment and enhance their productivity," said Kanyamba.