The presidential task force on education has recommended the abolishment of both Primary and Secondary Boarding Schools.
The reforms team wants boarding schools to be abolished next year if their proposals are adopted and implemented.
Moreover, the team recommended far reaching changes that could cut down the powers of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
If the recommendations are implemented, the Ministry of Education would have the mandate to manage day to day operations of schools such as disciplinary and quality standards whereas TSC will be left with recruitment, registration, employment, deployment, and transfer of teachers.
Nevertheless, since TSC was created under Article 237 (1) of the Constitution, with its core function being to recruit, register, deploy, transfer, discipline and terminate teachers’ contracts, reducing some of its powers might require amendments to the Constitution, which would require at least two thirds of Members of Parliament approving such changes or subjecting them to a referendum.
The reforms team has proposed the referendum route.
Also Read: KUPPET asks CBC Taskforce to Rely on Education Stakeholders
In addition to the abolishment of boarding schools, the Prof Raphael Munavu-led team also recommended that the Ministry of Education increase capitation to support free education.
This is after headteachers complained that the amount of money allocated to every learner per year was insufficient for running of schools, expansion programmes and other exigencies, such as paying salaries for non-teaching staff.
The task force further recommended major reforms in the management of public universities. They have proposed that the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) and Universities Fund Board be merged into one entity that will undertake all the roles and mandates previously executed by the three independent institutions.
Nonetheless, the team has compiled its final report awaiting presentation to President William Ruto.
