•The CS said the initial directive was that junior secondary schools are domiciled in secondary school compounds but lack of land appears to be preventing the transition efforts.
•He assured parents that no hitch would affect national examinations scheduled for next year.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING’A
The government has allowed private schools to set up more classes to ease the transition of learners to junior secondary school.
Education CS George Magoha said the government does not have enough land, especially in the cities, to set up all the requisite facilities ahead of the transition.
He asked private schools to start establishing additional structures to aid in the transition.
“Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu do not have enough secondary schools. We encourage private schools with the capacity to set up more facilities,” he said.
The CS said the initial directive was that junior secondary schools are domiciled in secondary school compounds but lack of land appears to be preventing the transition efforts.
He assured parents that no hitch would affect national examinations scheduled for next year.
Magoha said the President has already directed his ministry and that of the Interior to do proper coordination so that the exercise is not affected.
He said efforts were being made to ensure the exam has a human face as directed by the President.
The CS asked candidates not to be anxious and stop the worry that was driving some of them to burn schools.
“We have taken every factor into consideration, so let them stop burning schools on the pretext of stress,” he said.
Magoha spoke at Egentonto Primary School in South Mugirango in Kisii on Monday where he accompanied Interior CS Fred Matiang’i to inaugurate the school’s modern structures.
CS Matiang’i had helped pool resources towards the institution’s upgrading.
Magoha signalled the possible re-introduction of corporal punishment to tame indiscipline among students.
He said it should not be business as usual as schools get torched and students got away with lawlessness.
“We need to introduce caning back in our schools like yesterday and the parents should begin disciplining them at homes,” the CS said.
He asked the relevant authorities to quickly enact laws that will bring back the cane to schools to stem lawlessness
Magoha said he was aware of the efforts of the human rights activists blocking the re-introduction of caning in schools.
“Which human rights are there when these students are burning schools and destroying property? We cannot expect miracles from teachers when children are not being disciplined,” he said.
He said contrary to the opinion held by human rights activists, caning does not kill.
The CS thanked private schools for the contribution they have made to the country’s education sector.
He was accompanied by Health Principal Secretary Susan Mochache, Youth and ICT CAS Maureen Mbaka, Gusii professional lawmakers chairman Moses Nyakiongora.
Others were Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango), Simba Arati (Dagoretti North), Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache South) and area ward rep Daniel Apepo.
Aspirants Omingo Magara (Governor), Doris Donya ( Women representative and Dennis Makori (South Mugirango) were also present.
He praised Matiang’i for leading the efforts in the establishment of the school.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris