Education secretary Fred Matiang’i (centre) and USAid Kenya director Karen Freeman launch the Tusome evaluation report yesterday. photo | evans habil | nmg
Dr Matiang’i directed the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to urgently implement the directive saying he will not accept the education sector to be used by people who want to make money.
Private schools have been demanding parents buy more than one textbook per subject on strength of a long list of approved books.
Last year, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission unearthed massive irregularities in the procurement of public school books, with headteachers playing a key role in the racket.
Parents will be relieved the burden of buying books per subject as the government reviews the register for primary schools that will restrict learners to a single textbook for every subject.
Education Cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i said yesterday learners would only be allowed to have one course book per subject and not the current six, saying many books were not benefiting pupils but those in business.
Dr Matiang’i directed the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to urgently implement the directive saying he will not accept the education sector to be used by people who want to make money at the expense of quality education.
Private schools have been demanding parents buy more than one textbook per subject on strength of a long list of approved books.
“The collection of books in Orange Book are being influenced by people we know. Marketers go out to influence people who chose the books,” he said at the launch of a report on Sh5 billion Tusome project that seeks to improve learning outcomes for Class One and Two in Kiswahili and English at the KICD in Nairobi.
Dr Matiang’i expressed regret that despite allocation of billions of shillings to schools for purchasing books, pupils still share books.
“We cannot achieve better learning outcomes if children in schools have no learning materials.
“People cannot complain that I am putting them out of business. I have no problem putting thieves out of business,” said the minister.
He said Rwandan government procures books directly from Kenyan publishers and wondered why they are always opposed to the same in Kenya.
Dr Matiang’i directed the KICD to identify one course book for each subject and those who can afford supplementary books should buy them without using taxpayers money.
Government funds the Free Primary Education.
The current Orange Book — a register of approved books — was last revised in 2003 and allows each subject to have six different books that are approved for use in schools.
“They are supposed to be reviewed after every five years but us we last reviewed the books 13 years ago so we have been using the same books for long,” said KICD director Julius Jwan.
Dr Matiang’i disclosed that 20 million Kiswahili and English books had been distributed to Class One and Two pupils.
Last year, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission unearthed massive irregularities in the procurement of public school books, with headteachers playing a key role in the racket.
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