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Schools Ordered to Reopen

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Published on Monday, 23 July 2007 00:13

The government has ordered that four schools in Kisii be reopened.  At the same time, Education Minister Kalonzo Musyoka directed the Catholic Church, which is the schools' sponsor, to stop interfering in their management.

But the church said it was only concerned about the way Cardinal Otunga, St Paul's Amasago, Sengera Girls and St Augustine Otamba schools were being run. Mr. Musyoka told the Catholic Church to "stick to your mandate and stop causing confusion."

The chairman of the Catholic Education Commission, Bishop Cornelius Korir, said the sponsor should be respected and their views taken into account.

The Catholic Diocese of Kisii had issued a directive to the schools not to re-open for the First Term until administrative lapses were sorted out. The church took exception of the management of the institutions, saying should only be re-opened under new leadership.

"We are only interested in improving the situation to ensure that the students benefit and get quality education," said Bishop Korir.

But the minister said: "It is the minister for education who is empowered to prescribe the minimum number of days in a year on which instruction shall be given."

"I wish to take this opportunity to order the opening of the above schools," said Mr. Musyoka. Schools re-opened nationwide on Monday for the first academic term this year.

Contrary to the view that the church was interfering with the management of the schools, Bishop Korir said their role was to provide guidelines and support to ensure that resources were used well and children given quality education.

"Our role is to complement the government's efforts in ensuring that our children get the best education," he added