The Bridge International Academies are not registered as required, yet they have operated since 2009, an Education ministry official has said.
Speaking at a Nairobi hotel yesterday, quality assurance deputy director Susan Njau told 12 education players Bridge has not adhered to policy guidelines.
She cited the rules on Alternative Provision of Basic Education and Training.
However, Bridge co-founder Shannon May said they are not opposed to the regulations.
“We are waiting for the regulations to be gazetted, and we shall register afresh,” she said.
Knut secretary general Wilson Sossion said the UN has criticised the growing numbers of corporate-backed for-profit schools like Bridge.
“The World Bank, which supports Bridge, should invest in public education,” Sossion said in a joint statement from the civil society.
Bomet MP Cecilia Ngetich said Bridge is a “necessary evil” because public primary schools are few in slums.
Mathare MP Stephen Kariuki said institutions like Bridge are filling the gap in places like Mathare, which has only two public primary schools.