Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has Wednesday apologised over government’s directive on early closure of Basic Education Institutions across the country.
Speaking in Uasin Gishu County during his CBC preparedness inspection tour, Magoha admitted the unexpected announcement has caused pain but maintains Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) needs access to polling stations to prepare the August 9 General Election.
Many parents were preparing to pick their students this Friday as it was indicated in the school Calendar and some and other parents want the Ministry of Education to consider and exempt some of the school fees after the closure of schools after opening recently.
“I know people are unhappy that the schools were disclosed abruptly. Let me apologise on behalf of the government. But you see the electoral commission must be given whatever they want, whenever they want in order to be able to carry out a free, fair and justifiable election. So the small pain I have caused you, I take full responsibility because am the one who was supposed to say it. The swords you have sent on me are now enough,” said the CS.
There are 46,229 polling stations and most of them are public schools.
“But it is also important that electoral commission gets access to schools and not to say that we did not give them enough time to prepare for the election. I take full responsibility and try to understand that I love the children and I will be the last person to put their life or nothing at risk” added the CS.
He has reassured parents that learning will resume smoothly after the elections as the government focus on Junior secondary transition in January.
According to the CS 50pc of the targeted 3,000 new classrooms are complete to facilitate the transition and the ministry remains upbeat the remainder will be accomplished before January.
On Monday, the Ministry of Education released a circular ordering the immediate closure of all basic education institutions with effect from Tuesday, 2nd of August 2022 until Wednesday, 10th of August 2022 to ensure seamless preparation and conduct of upcoming elections.
“Schools and parents are advised to ensure that learners from all basic education institutions proceed on their half-term break effective Tuesday, 2nd August 2022 and resume on Thursday, 11th August 2022,” read part of the statement.
