14 August 2008
Nairobi — Parents expressed disappointment on Thursday with the Government's failure to officially inform schools of the ban on holiday tuition.
While Education Permanent Secretary Karega Mutahi, who was in Uasin Gishu on a fact-finding mission, maintains that the ban on holiday tuition stands, it emerged yesterday that the ministry is yet to officially inform school heads of the ban.
Schools which have opened for tuition maintain that they are yet to receive an official circular to that effect.
In Busia, District Education Officer John Owino said that he was waiting for a circular from the ministry before he informs schools of the ban.
Mr Owino said that schools that are already conducting the tuition should continue until he gets official communication from the ministry.
Parents who spoke to the Nation said that they were in a dilemma after schools asked them to send their children for extra learning.
Expressed support
The ministry's Public Relations Officer, Mr John Mwandikwa, told the Nation that he had not received any information regarding the ban from either the permanent secretary or the minister.
He said he was away at the time, but would make an official communication once the circular was ready. However, he did not disclose when this would be.
Busia Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers executive secretary Fredrick Mukabi expressed support for the Government's decision, saying that students needed time to rest. He added that the pressure being piled on them was the reason behind the recent wave of school unrest.
The area's Knut branch executive secretary Godrey Odongo, however, called on the Government to lift the ban, arguing that teachers were using the period to cover the syllabus.
A parent who spoke to the Nation supported the ban, saying that they have little time to interact with their children.
She also said that high schools were charging between Sh1,500 and Sh2,500 while primary schools were asking for between Sh300 and Sh500.
A spot check by the Nation on Wednesday revealed that many schools had defied the ban and are conducting the tuition.
Prof Mutahi has maintained that the ban is in place and that only remedial lessons for weak students will be allowed to continue.
Reports by Ouma Wanzala, Dennis Odunga and John Ngirachu
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