Teachers and lecturers threatened to down their tools should the government decide to privatise some public learning institutions.
In a joint presser on Tuesday, February 7, the education stakeholders led by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary General (SG), Constantine Wasonga, stated that the privatisation of schools would make education expensive.
He added that many learners would be locked out in the move as the privatisation would force various institutions to raise their fees.
The SG also expressed that the stakeholders had fears that some unscrupulous businessmen would venture into the programme to mint money from the proposals made.
“Investors are interested in making a profit. Where will the poor Kenyan family go to? Will they afford a university education, or does the government only want to leave education to the rich?
“I want to say that Jogoo House will speak because once KNUT is out, all other unions will also be out and there will be no learning in this country. We are not going to leave the management of education to cartels,” Wasonga stated.
On his part, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Collins Oyuu proposed that the government reviews the management of schools, indicating that public schools were still lagging in infrastructural development.
He also urged the government to stop the mushrooming of private schools and universities affecting public admission.
“This undermines the right to education and exploits teachers and education personnel. Underfunding, inadequate infrastructure, serious teacher shortages, and stagnant capitation have led to the unfortunate debate to privatise university education.
“All of the above exposes the education system in Kenya through privatisation and commercialisation,” Oyuu stated.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Education refuted reports that it had already kickstarted plans to privatise schools across the country.
This was after reports alleged that prestigious schools such as Alliance High School were targeted.
The Privatisation of some public universities was proposed by Trade Cabinet Secretary, Moses Kuria, who argued that the move would help address the financial crisis at the institutions.
“I’m talking to international investors who are willing and ready to come and partner with our universities to privatise some of the universities, I’m not saying all,” the CS proposed.
Meanwhile, the Privatisation Bill 2023, – issuing regulations on the privatisation of public institutions, is at the public participation stage.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE