Catholic mission schools in Kisii County have decried alleged harassment of teachers by the education ministry.
According to the Diocesan Education Secretary, Christopher Osinde, the church sponsored schools are being undermined despite registering good performance in national examinations including last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) where they topped in the county.
Addressing residents during an education day at the Pope Benedict the XV1 Minor Seminary on Thursday, Osinde said over 400 out of 885 secondary schools whose 2014 KCSE candidates qualified for entry to public universities from the county, were Roman Catholic Church sponsored.
Kisii County deputy governor, Dr. Joash Maangi defended strongly the learning institutions saying the county government had confidence in the schools’ exceptional exam results.
The deputy governor said the County Education Board had been instructed to consult widely before transferring principals from the schools and ensure personal differences do not lead to victimisation.
He assured the schools of assistance from the county government irrespective of whether the education function is under the national government.
Maangi recommended devolution of education infrastructure to county governments for prompt attention to schools when needs of financial assistance arises.
Bishop Joseph Obanyi who led the holy mass, said that the youth’s moral values were being eroded by social media and advised the youth to be responsible.
Obanyi called on the parents to take keen interest on what their children were engaged in to avoid cases where they could be wooed into joining terrorist groups.
He urged the church to partner with the two levels of government in supporting development of education especially at the newly established minor seminary.