CS Kaimenyi told to disband parents’ Associations
- Education News
Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi has been asked to disband rival parents' associations for creating confusion in the sector. Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the association for secondary schools heads want an immediate disbandment of the Musau Ndunda-led Kenya National Parents Association (KNPA).
They also want the Nathan Barasa-led Kenya National Parents and Teachers Association (KNPTA) dissolved and a single association set up to represent all parents. "These two parents associations are using the same constitution, are serving the same schools, they claim to speak for the same parents and also claim to address the same issues," said Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) national chairman John Awiti.
He said schools are being forced to part with hefty sums of money to support elections of one of the parents association. Awiti said parents do not involve teachers in their meetings, yet they demand cash for their elections.
"One of the associations claims to have been authorised to supervise parents' elections in all schools yet they do not have the capacity," said Mr Awiti. He said the Ndunda faction has been asking school heads to part with Sh5,000 for registration, Sh2,000 for certificate issuance and "many other levies for operations".
"The fee guidelines are clear on the vote heads. But we do not know from which vote head we should get the money to pay these parents associations," said Awiti.
Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion said quacks have infiltrated the education sector under the watch of ministry officials. "If Ndunda claims to have a letter from Jogoo, who signed it? And who authorised him to ask for money from schools?" said Sossion. KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori termed as 'unfortunate' the duplicity of parents' associations.
"It is only fair that this issue is addressed because a school is not complete without parents. But we need a legitimate body to work with teachers," said Misori.
Education PS Belio Kipsang warned school heads against giving money to any of the parents' associations. "We have asked schools to take care of their own parents. No one should pay any money," said Kipsang.
The KNPTA and the KNPA are embroiled in a legitimacy tussle to represent parents' interests in schools. Last year, Ndunda declared that he had dissolved all school parents' associations pending fresh elections. Barasa, however, dismissed the statement by Ndunda and asked him to read the constitution. "The Third Schedule clearly stipulates who should constitute the parents association and their functions. Let him tell Kenyans who his members are," Barasa said.
Reference : standardmedia.co.ke