Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha says that private primary schools are free to start junior secondary schools.
Speaking during the inspection of newly constructed CBC classrooms at St. Mary’s Girls High School today, CS Magoha said that the government will approve the proposals of private schools who want to start junior secondary schools, if they (private schools) prove that they have space and can have teachers linked to Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
“Private schools are investors who are doing well in the field of education. Owners of private schools who have the space for expansion and have the financial capacity to construct at least two classrooms within a month, which will host junior secondary, should bring their applications for approval,” Magoha said.
“We are encouraging them to build junior secondary schools within their primary schools at their own expense. Those who cannot construct new classrooms can fix CBC classes in their primary wing if they have additional classes which are vacant,” said CS Magoha.
Magoha, however, clarified that the government would not fund private schools to build CBC classrooms, adding that only public primary and secondary schools are funded.
Magoha’s sentiments come days after the Kenya Private School Association (KPSA) through national president Charles Ochome asked the government to consider funding private schools to develop infrastructure for junior secondary.
Magoha said that parents who choose to take their children to private schools should be prepared to pay, adding that it is a matter of choice.
The government is racing to exceed the April deadline of building at least 11,000 classrooms to host a junior secondary school.
“I have commissioned 1,080 CBC classrooms which have been completed. We expect to complete half of the 11,000 classes before the April deadline,” Magoha said.
CS Magoha also announced that the government has paid the examination fee for candidates in primary and secondary schools, both public and private, who will take the national exam this year.
“Even in private schools with less than 30 students, we will ensure that they sit for the exam,” he said.
