Kenya: Headteachers want elections held in December

By AUGUSTINE ODUOR

Secondary school head teachers want elections to be held in December to avoid a clash with the school calendar.

The over 6,000 principals from across the country also want to be involved in voter education in the run-up to the General Election.

They said a March 2013 poll, as was announced by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), will interfere with school calendar and asked the commission to re-consider the date.

The educators also demanded that teachers wishing to vie for certain positions be given temporary leave to contest and thereafter return to classes if they lose elections.

The call comes barely a day after Education minister Mutula Kilonzo said holding elections in March will greatly interfere with school programmes.

The minister said it would be better if the election date is changed with respect to school calendar so that studies are not disrupted.

Other options
Speaking Monday in Mombasa, school heads said teachers have for many years participated as election officials and noted that such a national exercise will keep teachers away from school and disrupt learning process.

Even though teachers unions have spoken against the poll date, this is the first time head teachers are coming out strongly to reject the date.

However, in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Joel Aboga, IEBC chairman Issack Hassan said the commission’s position on election date is known but said other options are still open. “The commission ignited debate by stating its position. But there are many options subject to many other reasons,” he said.

Mr Hassan challenged teachers to play an active role in educating Kenyans on the need to vote to enhance democracy.

He said the commission is tasked with restoring voter confidence as it had dipped by 27 per cent after the 2007 disputed elections.

He added the commission will launch voter registration this August and noted that some 18 million voters are targeted. “We want teachers to participate fully in this process and help educate the public on the need to conduct themselves properly during the exercise,” he said.

Kenya National Union of Teachers and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers noted first term is a crucial term that should not be marred with interruptions.

The two unions united to call for a December poll to avert possible disruption of next year’s Standard Eight and Form Four exams.

“Most schools are used as polling centres. And a good number are used as tallying centres. This means that all schools will have to close because of elections,” said Knut secretary general Okuta Osiany.
Kenya Secondary School Heads Association national chairman Cleopas Tirop termed the development unfortunate.

“We cannot keep children in school during election period. They would rather be with their parents or guardians,” he said.

Education secretary George Godia said the ministry will assess the date and craft a possible programme for that period.

Osiany, however, said schools may remain closed longer in case of a re-run, as provided for in the Constitution. “We just revised the term dates. We are not going to engage in another revision of term dates. We must respect the education of our children just as much as we need elections,” he said.

Keynote address
Kenya National Parents and Teachers Association chair Nathan Baraza said exam registration will be interrupted if elections are to be held in March.

“They should know that parents toil to get school fees for first term as it comes barely a week after December holidays. It will be costly for parents to send children to school and recall them because of elections,” he said. Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka will today give a keynote address after the official opening of the conference by Education minister Mutula Kilonzo.