The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and head teachers have challenged parents to be actively involved in education matters.
KNUT however told parents to ignore the Musau Ndunda led Kenya National Association of Parents and instead use their various Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs) to make their voices heard.
Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Vice Chairperson Indimuli Kahi accused parents of denying their children basic education.
Kahi said that parents should come out strongly on education matters and not to take a back seat as the sector goes to the ‘dogs’.
He admitted that currently there is a lot of confusion on how parents can actively be involved in education matters adding that some organisations are hood winking Kenyans as the voices of the parents, yet they are only using the name to get favours from the government.
"Parents have left their role in education to one person, who does not have a child in these institutions of learning, neither does the members of the organisation," claimed Kahi.
Kahi accused Ndunda of failing to represent parents' issues. His sentiments were supported by KNUT National Treasurer Albanus Mutisya who attacked the KNAP chair accusing him of confusing the sector and allowing himself to be used by the government.
Mutisya said, “Schools have and only recognise PTA and not the Ndunda's organisation.” which he termed as one-man show. The KNUT treasurer alleged that Ndunda has been collecting money from schools yet he does not help parents in any way.
"Musau collects Sh2,000 from all secondary schools which is a lot of money, yet he does not represent the parents, it is shameful and corrupt of him to do so,” said Mutisya.
The two leaders were speaking on Saturday at a burial ceremony of Philista Nyaoro Obiero, mother to KESSHA Chairman John Awiti, who is also the Principal of St. Mary's School Yala.