Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has warned teachers against sending students home for school fees or any charges.
Speaking in Enoomatasiani Primary School in Kajiado County, Gachagua said Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers found asking parents to pay for uniform and furniture fees will be fired.
“Regarding JSS, any teacher who will be found sending students home because of uniforms, desks or any other thing will be sacked before the child gets to the parent,” said the DP.
Gachagua said the students should be allowed to wear old uniforms as the parents gather money to buy new ones.
“If there is a problem with desk, there were desks in that school before. Allow the students to continue studying because they are the future of the nation,” he said.
The DP further asked teachers to avoid having their own plans by sending students home for money.
“I want to talk to our teachers, the ministry of education has released money for JSS, primary and secondary schools. Teachers should have their own plans and allow the children to study,” he said. His remarks came in the wake of reports of school heads sending home children who do not have fees.
At the same time, thousands of form ones are yet to report to school for lack of fees despite the bursaries, CDF and scholarship programs in placing raising questions on how the money is allocated.
He explained that President William Ruto has streamlined the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) like they promised during the campaigns.
Gachagua said Ruto’s task force on education allowed for smooth transition from grade six to seven.
Constituency Development Fund
He also urged the Members of Parliament (MPs) to use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and take over the infrastructural needs of schools and allow the national government to handle the rest.
“I urge the MPs to agree with the advice of Ruto on the CDF money. They should agree to take over the infrastructural needs of schools so that they leave the national government with software like dealing with teachers, books, and computers,” he said.
He explained that this will allow the national government partner with the national government development fund and the Ministry of Education to move education forward.
Also Read: Ruto Addresses Teachers Asking JSS Parents to Pay School Fees
Gachagua on Kenya Kwanza Govt
Besides, Gachagua said the Kenya Kwanza government will remain united despite the early campaigns by a section of polticians.
“We will remain united in the Kenya Kwanza government; we don’t want to be divided. We want to unite the people of Kenya so that we can speak as one country,” said the DP.
He further welcomed leaders with genuine intentions at the State House for discussions on development issues.
Also Read: Gachagua Holds Night Meeting with UDA Officials Amid Succession War
“Ruto is a bottom up oriented and belongs to the hustler nation, every leader who wants to engage him on development issues and the unity of this country is welcomed to visit the president,” he explained.
He however dismissed politicians who want to associate with both the President and the Opposition.
Gachagua told leaders to move on from the elections and focus on service delivery and uniting the country.
The DP appealed to Kenyans to give Ruto more time to deliver adding that the government has struggled with debts since taking over office.
