School heads meet in Mombasa

By Patrick Beja

More than 15,000 primary school head teachers streamed into Mombasa for a week-long annual delegates conference with a commitment to raise the level of the protection of the child.

Buses carrying the teachers from across the country started arriving in Mombasa on Sunday morning, and teachers booked in various hotels.

Mr Joseph Karuga, national chairman of the Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association (Kepsha), said primary school heads would act tough on sexual abuse in their schools.

Addressing a news conference on Sunday, Mr Karuga said the 22,000 public and 5,000 private primary schools in the country have committed themselves to Government and United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) rallying call to ensure the institutions are friendly to the child.

Karuga who is also chairman of the East and Central Africa Federation of Head teachers Association said curricula in the region should be harmonised.

“Parents and our employer the Teachers Service Commission have entrusted the safety and security of children to schools. We condemn carnal knowledge of teachers and schoolchildren because it is unethical and unprofessional, and we will take disciplinary measures against culprits,” Karuga said.

The conference is themed Child Friendly Schools, the Road to Vision 2030. Under the theme, Karuga said, educationists would discuss ways of improving children’s learning by ensuring safe and secure environment.

Kepsha Secretary General William Mukoya and National Treasurer Ibrahim Boya accompanied him.

Mr Mukoya said sexual abuse ruins schools and that was why the association had joined Unicef to wipe the vice from the institutions.

“We are advocating for commitment among teachers to protect the child and ensure professionalism,” he added.

Karuga said teachers who engage in sex with pupils would be removed from the register and charged.

Ongeri to preside over

Education Minister Sam Ongeri is expected to formally open the Sixth Annual Delegates Conference tomorrow, while Prime Minister Raila Odinga is scheduled to preside over the closing ceremony on Thursday.

Education PS James Kiyiapi, Kenya Institute of Education Director Lydia Nzomo, Kenya National Examinations Council CEO Paul Wasanga, Education Secretary George Godia, Director of Basic Education Leah Rotich, Director of Quality Standards Enos Oyaya and Unicef Country Director Olivia Yambi are also expected.

“At the conclusion of the conference we expect that each and every primary school head will be committing to managing schools toward child friendliness, marking a drastic departure from the current approach to the education system, which has a bias towards examination results as opposed to holistic approach to teaching and learning,” Karuga said.

Meanwhile, South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya has criticised the timing of the conference and wondered why the conference cannot take place during school holidays.

The MP said it sent the wrong signal to candidates who are about to sit national examinations.

He said the fact the conference is taking place in Mombasa sends the message to students that their teachers have gone to relax when exams are around the corner.