The government has called for increased private sector investment in education, even as it moves to tighten oversight and improve safety standards in schools across the country.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, speaking on Saturday during an academic clinic for Grade 10 students at Pioneer School in Murang’a, said private sector participation in education is key to expanding opportunities for Kenyan learners as parents have more options as they choose schools for their children.
Bitok emphasized the need for a multi-stakeholder approach in the education sector.
“I want to encourage other partners and investors to build more schools because the government is keen on private investment in education,” he said.
“Private sector investment is growing and now there are 18000 private schools in the country, “he added.
The PS also directed all schools to register under the Kenya Education Management Information System, KEMIS, saying it will serve as a central platform bringing together all education stakeholders, such as the Kenya National Examinations Council and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development among others.
“We expect all schools both private and public to be in KEMIS, from primary schools to TVETS and even universities.” He noted.
He warned that capitation funds for the third term will only be disbursed to institutions registered on the system.
Amid rising cases of unrest in schools, Bitok assured parents that the government has launched a nationwide audit to ensure all institutions comply with safety standards.
He added that more than one thousand quality assurance officers have been deployed across the country to monitor compliance and assist in containing the unrest.
“As government we are doing everything possible to contain the situation,” he said.
At the same time, the PS encouraged dialogue between school administrations and learners as a way of preventing further unrest, maintaining that the school calendar will remain unchanged as only a few schools have been affected by the unrest.
The government maintains that strengthening systems and collaboration in the education sector will be key to addressing emerging challenges in schools.
Teachers at Pioneer School: J. Ananda and Stanley Kinyanjui, urged parents to continue investing in their children’s education, describing it as a lifelong asset.
They also called on students to remain disciplined and focused, noting that these values are critical to academic success.
By Purity Mugo
