Education CS Machogu eats humble pie, drop abolishment of boarding schools
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has affirmed that the government has no plans to abolish boarding in primary schools.
He said that the ministry had reviewed an initial proposal to do away with boarding schools.
“What we are saying is that with 100 percent transition we have to expand and provide better facilities for day schools to accommodate more numbers. We are not abolishing boarding schools. We have to expand day schools because they are able to accommodate more,” he said.
In December last year, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang announced plans to abolish boarding in primary and junior secondary schools arguing that the learners needed to be close to their parents and guardians.
“The reason we want to do away with boarding schools is to make education affordable. On average, parents pay up to Sh45,000 per year in extra-county schools and Sh53,000 in national schools. It’s even higher for private schools,” Kipsang had said.
The government had also said that it would also not allow private schools to have boarding sections for junior secondary schools adding that new private primary schools seeking to have boarding facilities would not be registered
“We must create a way in which we can be with our children and the only way is through day schooling. The first nine years of learning are Grades 1 to 9, and the direction that the government is taking will be day schools,” Kipsang’ said.
The Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms the policy shifts among other recommendations presented to President William Ruto.
