Primary school heads to make statement on laptop project

By Augustine Oduor

Kenya: Primary school head teachers have said they will make a major statement on the implementation of the ‘laptops for Class Ones project’, next week during their annual conference.

The meeting, to be addressed by President Uhuru Kenyatta, will also discuss sustainable education, child-friendly schools and effective student leadership. Speaking to the press Thursday, Kenya Primary School Heads Association (Kepsha) National Chairman Joseph Karuga said that education reforms would also be discussed.

He said the laptop programme would be a key component of the meeting saying a major statement would be made after the meeting.

“We are going to communicate our final stand on the programme as the people who will be in charge of the implementation,” he said.

Failure to consult

A letter from Secretary to the Cabinet, Francis Kimemia, has confirmed that the Head of State will address the 12,000-plus primary school heads on Tuesday next week in Mombasa.

Deputy President William Ruto has also been invited to close the meeting whose theme is “Translating the Basic Education Act 2013 into a Child Friendly Education System for All: An Opportune Time to Mainstream Children’s Government in Kenyan Primary Schools.”

Other speakers are Education Principal Secretary Dr Belio Kipsang, Kenya National Examination Council Secretary Paul Wasanga and Director of the Kenya Education Management Institute, Dr Wanjiru Kariuki.

The meeting comes after Kepsha accused the Government of not involving teachers in the planning stages. According to Karuga, head teachers “do not want this programme to face challenges like the Free Primary Education programme because of inadequate preparation”.