Bishops tell off CS Fred Matiang'i over prayers ban

Two Anglican Church of Kenya bishops have faulted Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i for banning prayer days for examination candidates.

The CS last week outlawed all social activities in the third term — including prayer days, for candidates preparing to sit the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.

According to Dr Matiang'i, the prayer days during the last academic term are used as avenues for exchanging materials, which are later used by candidates in cheating during KCPE and KCSE examinations.

Speaking to The Standard yesterday, bishops Julius Wanyoike (Thika Diocese) and George Mechumo (Bungoma Diocese) said the CS overstepped his mandate in issuing the directive.

Consult first

The clergymen said the CS should have first looked at the foundation of schools in the country and consulted with various relevant stakeholders, including the Church, before issuing the directive.

"You cannot tell a sponsor not to do what is naturally in his domain. It is important for the Government to value the historical contexts of learning institutions," said Wanyoike.

Bishop Mechumo said the CS should go after rogue teachers involved in stealing exams instead of interfering with programmes for schools sponsored by churches.

Apart from prayer days, the CS also directed that activities such as annual general meetings, prize-giving and thanksgiving should be conducted in the first and second terms of the schools calendar.