Recommendations by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i on curbing cheating in examinations have met harsh criticism from a teachers' union.
Nyamira branch of the Kenya National Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Executive Secretary Lewis Nyakweba has termed the CS's recent banning of prayers and visitation during the third term of the school calendar as dictatorial and was not founded on consultations.
Nyakweba challenged the CS to expressly state how the terms were arrived at since majority stakeholders were not involved in the finding the resolutions which he announced more than a week ago.
"The cabinet secretary cannot stop parents from visiting their kids as long as they do it according to the contemporary school programmes. We want to know whom he consulted on the issues of curbing cheating in national exams because as long as policies are made in this country, key stakeholders must be involved in their formulations," Nyakweba said.
He further told Matiang'i to give a clear guideline on how he is planning to stop interactions between parents and outsiders who often have contact with candidates who are learning in day schools.
"Does it mean that the education ministry will be detaining day-schooling candidates who are always out here with anyone?" Posed Lewis.
According to the unionist, banning of prayers and visitation was challenging the fundamental freedoms of the children and those of their parents and religious leaders who have obligations of praying for the candidates for encouragement.
The official said the education ministry should consider doing fresh consultations with unions, parents, churches, spiritual leaders and school sponsors who can give the correct recommendations that are accomodative and inclusive of the fundamental rights and obligations of all.
In his announcement, Matiang'i had announced that prayer days and visitation, midterm breaks and social interactions between parents, teachers and students, especially candidates during the last term of the current academic calendar were abolished and anyone who will be found contravening them would face the wrath of the law.
The measures he assured will help to contain cheating in national examinations.