Education CS Fred Matiang'i.[Photo/standard]
The enhanced government day secondary school programme faced the initial test yesterday during the official roll out as schools across the country were left grappling with a number of challenges.
Some national schools, notably Starehe Boys’ Centre in Nairobi, have openly protested against the admission of day scholars, arguing that the school is handling some challenges it has already discussed with the Ministry of Education.
The school is one of the national schools targeted to accommodate boarders and day scholars. Starehe director, Charles Masheti said currently, the school has 280 students enrolling in Form One and was not likely to take any more. “We have more than 280 students we are admitting to Form One as borders.
The Free Day Secondary Education programme was met by mixed reactions. While parents in some parts of the country welcomed the government’s move to reduce school fees.
In parts of Nyanza region, some parents were relieved with the government’s move to reduce school fees and provide free textbooks for learners. They termed the provision of textbooks a noble step in making sure parents and guardians do not have to struggle with both payments of fees and buying of textbooks.
And even as the government provided a set of six textbooks for every student, many parents protested the extra cost on additional items they were asked by schools to buy. As other schools embraced the two-category student admission, similar challenges were reported but with optimism that measures put in place will handle the situation.
At State House Girls, the school Principal Joan Muoti said despite the day schooling programme being new, the institution was prepared to deal with the challenges it will pose.