Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula has faulted Education Cabinet
Secretary Fred Matiang’i over the recent bans in public schools.
Matiang’i banned all social activities during third term, in a raft of measures by the government to improve the administration of national examinations.
The senator faulted the CS for banning prayers for candidates prior to their national examinations, half-term breaks, visiting days, sports, prize-giving ceremonies and annual general meetings.
He termed the changes "inconsequential".
“How can one just wake up and say parents cannot visit their children in third term? What is the rationale and is there any empirical evidence that children who are not visited by their parents in third term do better in exams?" Wetang'ula asked.
He questioned how the CS came up with the decision to impose the bans, saying education stakeholders were not involved in the process.
The changes are not good as they will not eradicate exam irregularities as projected, Wetang'ula said, noting that any fundamental change in education requires public participation.
He spoke during the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association
Bungoma branch conference in Kisumu.
The senator blamed Matiang’i for "wrong priorities" in education.