Unions critisise proposed education system

By Vitalis Kimutai

The proposed creation of an examination season in schools by the Ministry of Education has been vehemently opposed by trade unions.

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Teachers (KUSNET) said the proposal would greatly disrupt learning programs in schools.

KUPPET’s Secretary General, Akello Misori said the move to have the first and second term run for 16 and 15 weeks respectively would unnecessarily strain teachers and learners.

"The proposed changes are not tenable and the government should not be in a hurry to implement it before consulting all the stakeholders," Misori said.

Education Minister Sam Ongeri. He has invited stakeholders to give their contribution on the proposed education system before changes are implemented. Photo: File/Standard

Misori who was flanked by the union’s Chairman Omboko Milemba and assistant treasurer Ronald Tonui said it would disrupt the holiday school based university programs hundreds of teachers have enrolled in.

"If we implement the changes, would it mean that teachers who are taking various university programs to enhance their professional capacity would drop out? This is not acceptable," Misori said.

Milemba and Tonui said the proposed changes would further make 8-4-4 an exams based system when the country should be adopting a more practical approach in line with Vision 2030.

"We need a holistic system of education and not one that is based on exams and churning out learners for white collar jobs. With this kind of programs, we would not achieve the status of an industrialist country anytime soon," Milemba said.

"Somebody is sleeping on the job at the Ministry of education. How do they expect the creation of an exam season to curb cheating?" Tonui said, adding that we should be careful not to create a chaotic situation in the education sector by effecting reforms when stakeholders have not given their input.

On his part, KUSNET Secretary General, James Torome said that extending the studying period would impact negatively on learners with special needs and the ministry of education should rescind the decision.

"For a child with special needs, retaining in school for five months is very pernicious. It would also be strenuous for Special Needs Teachers who are already burdened with workload," Torome said adding that the government should instead ensure that enough teachers were trained and posted to schools to teacher learners with special needs.

Education Minister Professor Sam Ongeri said on Wednesday while releasing the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) results that a circular on the changes would be released early next year.

Ongeri invited stakeholders to give their contribution on the matter to the Ministry so that it could be factored in the course of implementing the changes.