Kuppet warns against delaying FPE funds

By Joel Okwayo

The Government has been urged to release funds for financing free primary and secondary education before schools open in January.

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) also warned the ministry of Education against carrying out transfers and demotions of head teachers without consulting stakeholders.

Kuppet national officials said Education minister Sam Ongeri should liaise with his Finance counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta to have the money released by the Treasury immediately.

"The Government should release money to schools so that head-teachers can purchase the required goods on time to avoid delays in learning programmes," said the union’s National Chairman Milemba Omboko.

Mr Omboko, the Kakamega Kuppet County Executive Secretary Harrison Otota and his Kericho counterpart, Mr Julius Mibeyi, said some primary schools closed without supplying children with exercise books due to delays by the Government to release funds for FPE.

The three, who were speaking in Kakamega town, said that the union was also monitoring the transfers effected by the Education ministry with a view to rejecting some of the changes.

But the Western Provincial Director of Education, Mr Kenneth Misoi confirmed the changes terming them normal.

Misoi explained that some principals had overstayed in their stations and required to be moved to improve their performance.

Kakamega Central District Education Officer, Mr Isaac Indiatsi said more changes were expected in the primary section.