Council of Governors rejects education reform recommendations
By Issa Hussein |
The Council of Governors' Legal, Constitutional Affairs, and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, and the Education Committee, have rejected the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms report.
The Council of Governors' Legal, Constitutional Affairs, and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, and the Education Committee, have rejected the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms report.
In a press release signed by Kericho Governor Eric Mutai, Chairperson of the Council of Governors' Education Committee, the Council states that the recommendations are unacceptable on several grounds. They argue that the recommendations heavily claw back on gains made under devolution.
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The Council calls for further consultations to ensure the perspectives and concerns of county governments are adequately considered in the implementation of any reforms. They cite specific concerns with the following proposals:
Establishment of a comprehensive school system: The Council objects to the recommendation for a single head of instruction for all levels of learning, arguing that it disregards the delineated functions outlined in the Constitution.
Accountability for Pre-Primary Schools: The Council emphasizes the lack of an accountability framework for the proposed head of institution regarding the management of Pre-primary schools.
County Education Board: The Council denounces the recommendation to amend the Basic Education Act to have the County Commissioner as the County Education Board, viewing it as a step backward from the gains of devolution that categorized Early Childhood Development Education as a fully devolved function.
Hiring of Pre-Primary Teachers: The Council reiterates its authority to hire Pre-primary teachers, as affirmed by the High Court ruling in the case of KNUT vs. The Attorney General and 4 others (2016).
Framework for Development Partners: The Council proposes a clear division of responsibility for development partners supporting education in the country. The Ministry of Education would coordinate partners supporting the National Education Function, while the Council of Governors would coordinate partners supporting the devolved education functions.
Based on these concerns, the Council of Governors unanimously agreed to reject and withdraw its participation from any process that seeks to legislate the recommendations contained in the report. They further announced their decision to abstain from a proposed meeting called by the Inter-Governmental Relations Technical Committee scheduled for January 16, 2024.
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