Education Cabinet Secretary

George Magoha has urged parents to select for their children Junior Secondary Schools whose fees they can afford. Magoha said yesterday that children in private schools must pay for the services offered in those institutions, insisting that the Government can only cater for Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE). He dismissed calls for the government to give private schools capitation, saying it is entirely up to parents who take their children there to pay.

“There has been a little noise about capitation to private schools but that is not going to happen. The Constitution allows us to provide FDSE, so if you know you have no money to pay for feeding and boarding, choose any day school. Every child is protected there,” said the CS. He made the remarks after commissioning the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) at Nile Road Secondary School in Nairobi.

“If you choose a boarding school,

you must know that there will be requirements to pay for boarding and feeding. That is why the Government got the poorest students from the slums and gave them Elimu Scholarship, which is supposed to go for four years. We have said that any child who selects a private school must first of all confirm with their parents. That is why we have roped them in,” Magoha added. Insisting that it is entirely up to a

parent to make choices, the CS said that the Ministry has only issued guidelines for school selection but

Education CS George Magoha commissions Phase Two of CBC classrooms at Nile Road Secondary School in Makadara, Nairobi county, yesterday. PD/ PHILLIP KAMAKYA

PHASE TWO

Private schools will not get government capitation; the task will be entirely up to parents.

The majority

of learners are expected to be in junior day schools near their homes.

The selection period for schools has been extended by 10 days.

the decision stands with learners and parents. “Even in the current situation, some parents do not follow the guidelines — you find them selecting top schools like Kenya High School several times to the exclusion of all others,” he said. Magoha reiterated that the majority of learners are expected to be in junior day schools near their homes.

“The CBC will be a great success of the outgoing government. You have seen the passion we have had and hope the incoming Government will continue with the classroom drive in the next one year; then there will be no problems,” Magoha stated.

Selection period Magoha said the Government