The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has supported the recent government’s directive to allow all grade 10 students to report to senior schools irrespective of whether they fulfilled the basic requirements.
KUPPET National Chairperson, Omboko Milemba said the union was fully backing President Dr. William Ruto’s order noting that the bold move would facilitate a 100 percent transition of all Grade 10 learners.
Speaking to the press at Esirulo, Emuhaya Sub County, Omboko said he was very excited when he heard the president’s order that all students who cannot afford Grade 10 school fees be allowed to report, without further delays.
He explained that only three major things hinder access to basic education including uniforms, school fees and admission fees.
The unionist commended the president for listening to their pleas for all students to join Grade 10 with no conditions.
He asked teachers to support and obey the order to the letter by admitting all students without full fees, uniforms, or even shoes to school for learning.
“Many children are still at home with no hope of going to school,” he said.
Omboko, who is also the Emuhaya MP, urged all teachers, parents, guardians, and chiefs to mobilize and allow students to go to school within the next five days, to complete the transition process.
“By Friday, we should be asking the president for full capitation, beginning with what remained last year, which is Sh6000 per student and what is remaining now, since we have received 5000 out of Sh11000 per student,” he stated.
He added that this opportunity could be the beginning of a new window for the country’s dreamt of free basic education.
Omboko called on the Ministry of Education and other partners to prioritize giving out scholarships in the next 30 days.
He further asked all members of parliament to also prioritize bursaries in the next 30 days, so that students can get good education.
“Learning materials and infrastructure could be insufficient, but please let students be admitted in school,” he pleaded.
The MP urged the government to make sure that all textbooks are in school by Friday because they are the main learning materials.
He called on every citizen to support the government’s move and ensure all the students around them join school because basic education remains compulsory.
However, the MP asked the state to facilitate prompt disbursement of capitation funds to schools to facilitate smooth running of institutions.