Education stakeholders propose changes to key education bills

Education stakeholders have proposed several amendments to key education bills during a public participation forum with the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education held in Nakuru. Among the proposals was the domiciling of comprehensive schools, with stakeholders recommending that pre-primary and Grades One to Nine remain under primary schools. They said the move would enhance the smooth implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum. Stakeholders also proposed that school categories be classified as public schools, mission schools, public-sponsored schools and private schools. Contributors welcomed penalties proposed in the bill for imposing unapproved fees and charges, but recommended additional sanctions, including possible deregistration of teachers found guilty of imposing illegal levies. Parents' representatives also called for the introduction of a Parent Empowerment and Engagement Framework to strengthen parental involvement in education matters.