Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has called for urgent audit of money meant for buying textbooks in public primary schools.
Matiang’i said few books are available in primary schools yet government sent several millions to schools meant for purchasing books.
He directed county education directors and school heads to furnish him with a comprehensive report on how government money is spent on buying text books.
Matiang’i who made an impromptu visit to Pand Pieri Primary School in Nyalenda slums, Kisumu town on Wednesday, decried mismanagement of funds meant for buying textbooks for pupils.
He took the school head Portash Juma Odhiambo to task over the few textbooks available for pupils since free primary education was initiated, thirteen years down ago.
He also noted that some county education directors and school heads were allegedly colluding with auditors to defraud public funds.
“Government will take a serious action on those mismanaging funds allocated for textbooks. Anybody found culpable will face the wrath of the government,” Matiang’i said.
He also noted that children in informal schools in slums are learning under bad and unsafe conditions.
Matiang'i said the government will ensure alternative schools comply with set standards of quality education as well as safety and well-being of the children.
He attributed shortage of learning materials to poor management of schools and directed county education officials to conduct regular inspections in schools.
Matiang’i also ordered county education officials to form a joint management framework for running schools.
The CS who also presided over the closure of a two day workshop for senior county education officials said effective management of public schools in the country required adoption of a coordinated approach.
He told the education chiefs to establish a joint county education coordination framework for the betterment of performance in the education sector.
Matiang’i at the same time urged the education officers to embrace a constructive, consultative and collaborative management approach so that schools can run smoothly.
He said there was no reason why county education stakeholders can work parallel to each other.