School heads have questioned a Presidential Directive issued to them through the Ministry of Education, arguing that it was outrageous and out to exploit institutions.
President Uhuru Kenyatta directed all government parastatals, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and public schools to purchase rice from the Kenya National Trading Corporation.
This was aligned with his Buy Kenya Build Kenya project with the government seeking to offload extra rice from West Kano and Mwea plantations.
However, school heads lamented that the prices listed in the Thursday, October 8 circular were too expensive, especially at a time when parents and teachers are expected to foot extra costs in schools.
They doubted the motive behind the Buy Kenya Build Kenya initiative arguing that they still contributed to the economy by purchasing foods through local suppliers.
In Nairobi, schools used to buy rice at a market price ranging from Ksh 5,200 to Ksh 6,000 for a 50-kilogram bag.
The memo issued dictated that they will purchase it at between Ksh 8,000 and Ksh 8,250. 1 kilogram of rice will trade at between Ksh 105 and Ksh 160 depending on the quality of rice.
Kenya Secondary School Heads Association Chairman Kahi Indimuli stated that schools were open to discussing the issue with the government rather than disobeying the directive.
"It depends on the quality and prices. I shared with the director (Ministry of Education) and schools can negotiate," Indimuli stated.
Parents and teachers were directed to facilitate the purchasing of masks for students, additional lockers, upgrade of classrooms and to seek donors to raise funds for development. The government disclosed that it was unable to foot all bills on its own and sharing the burden was the only way forward.
The ministry, however, assure parents that no student will be sent back home over school fees arrears.
As schools prepare to receive students, uncertainty still shrouds the reopening dates after a High Court in Kisii County directed that schools will only be reopened after complying with Covid-19 guidelines.
CS Magoha had directed Grade Four, Class 8 and Form 4 students to report back on Monday, October 12. He, nonetheless admitted that ensuring students and teachers comply with social distancing was a challenge.
The CS has not spoken on the court ruling hence leaving parents, teachers and stakeholders anxious over whether the reopening dates may change.
