Nyamira residents have criticised Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i's move to ban midterm holidays and prayers for students and pupils seating for national exams.
This comes after the senate committee in charge of education under the chairmanship of Senator Daniel Karaba summoned Matiang'i to appear before it to shed more light on the decision.
During an interview on Monday, a section of Nyamira residents termed Matiang'i's move ‘barbaric and retrogressive’.
“It is very sad that an education cabinet secretary can ban prayer days in schools and deprive students their right of association by also banning midterm holidays,” said Erick Nyachae, a resident.
On his part, one high school principal, who is also a parent of two candidates likely to seat for the final form four exams this year urged Matiang'i to go slow on his actions as they are meant to taint his ‘Magufuli’ tittle.
“What Matiang'i should know is that we have had several ministers running his current docket before him and they didn't go to such extremes, and my advise to him is that he must shift gears if he real needs to stay in the position for long,” said the principal who did not want to be named.
This is coming after the cabinet secretary in charge of education banned midterm holidays, prayer days and any other social activities in public schools during third term in an effort of curb examination irregularities.