Private schools say closure will disrupt education calendar

Students of Maranda high school walk along the streets of Kisumu to catch means of transport to their homes on September 19,2015, a day after education cabinet secretary Jacob Kaimenyi ordered all schools closed over pay stalemate between the government and teachers. PHOTO BY COLLINS ODUOR

Government’s directive to close public and private schools due to the ongoing teacher’s strike has been criticised by officials of Kenya Private Schools Association in the North Rift region.

The private institutions’ managers yesterday said the closure will ‘unfairly interrupt their programmes’ and they should have been allowed to conclude their schedules in November since parents had paid fees.

“We are not party to the issues between the teachers unions and the government and the private schools should have been left alone to stick to their programme,” said Joanes Menjo, the Association chairman Nandi County.

He added: “We don’t know what we will tell our employer, the parents. The closure will financially affect the private institution since some parents may refuse to pay for the third term.”

Mr Menjo said some institutions rely on credit facilities and overdrafts to run including servicing vehicles, paying teachers among other needs hence the interruption will have effects in their management.

The chairman who is also the proprietor of Roseve Academy in Kapsabet said they will use diplomatic ways to inquire why private institutions were closed.

Another stakeholder in the private schools who requested anonymity said the government does not support private schools and questioned why they should be closed alongside the public ones.

“There was a countrywide strike of nurses recently and the government did not order closure of private health institutions. Why should private schools be targeted?” the official queried. The official added that dialogue should have been the best solution than closing schools and subject students to suffering.

“The government, Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and teachers unions should have been considerate and embrace dialogue to end the standoff for the benefit of pupils and students who are our future leaders,” said the official who added that teachers have suffered for long and their plight should be addressed.

Criticising closure of private schools, she pointed out that: “Government does not support private schools. The private institutions instead pay taxes to the government. Parents pay teachers and owners of the institutions manage and run them.”

All students in the private institutions, she said, are cared for and are safe while in school.

Pending syllabuses

And in Uasin Gishu, parents and youths expressed anger over the government’s directive to close public and private schools starting Monday saying it is ‘submission of failure’.

Absalom Biwott said it is illogical for the state to interfere with students in private schools after failing those in public institutions through the announcement and called on the government to reconsider the directive.

“We are facing difficult economic times where getting two or three children to and out of schools is too costly. The government had all the machinery to stop this scenario but chose to go to court and later disrespect a final decision,” said Mr Biwott.

He blamed the Executive for embracing a dictatorial approach, saying this shows how the presidency is inconsiderate of the independence of other arms of government like the Judiciary.

“There will be a difficulty in students’ transition that haven’t been examined, syllabuses are pending, and candidates are missing contact hours with teachers. They will fail to make cut off points to good highs schools or university because of the government’s failure,” Morris Arusei a parent lamented.

Bob Tanui, the chairperson of Uasin Gishu Youth Independent Forum said the State’s announcement is an indication that the education system of the country is on its death bed.

“The Executive is rigid at the expense of children who have been denied the right to education. The decision not to pay teachers then close schools should attract two suits, one for court contempt and another for denying children right to education,” Mr Tanui said.

He further blamed the TSC for leaning on the government side instead of fairly addressing the problem by seeking funds to sustain their pledge which the court accepted.

“TSC is misadvising the government that the new salary perks are unsustainable yet it was their proposal, instead of pushing for more funds to teachers they are threatening teachers, where is the independence of this commission?” questioned Tanui.

In Elgeyo Marakwet County, proprietors of private schools have termed the move as ‘uncalled for’.

Bishop Haron Kwambai, the proprietor of Sunrise Schools said although they will abide by the government’s directive to close the institutions, they are still waiting for official communication from the Association.

– Reports by Titus Too, Michael Ollinga and Fred Kibor