The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and an NGO identified as Education International on Monday presented Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i with names of over 400 private schools in the country that should shut down.
The report titled, Concern Over Growing Commercialisation and Privatisation of Education, called for the closure of Bridge International Academies, among other schools over poor learning standards and failure to follow the standard curricula.
According to KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion, Bridge Schools were not operating in accordance with the laws of the land and were receiving instructions exclusively from the United States.
Sossion inferred that just like in Uganda where the schools were banned for failing to teach the approved syllabus and for employing untrained teachers, the CS ought to close the schools in Kenya.
The research team indicated that the syllabus sent from the US was structured in a way that teachers are not able to interact with the students.
"Teachers are required to recite the notes to the students and are not allowed to interact personally with the students," Ms Lucy Njeru, an official of KNUT and a member of the research team was quoted by the Nation.
The schools were also accused of overcharging hence discriminating against the poor in the society.
"Our investigations show that the schools provide poor quality education at a cost that is not affordable to the poor," Angelo Gavireilatos of Education International noted.
Nonetheless, Dr Matiang'i divulged little on the matter stating: "I have put together a team from Quality Assurance and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development to look into the issue."
At the same time, the CS directed that from April 1, 2017, all schools that use the international model of education will have to teach Swahili and Kenyan history in order for them to be allowed to operate in the country.
He added that all teachers including those working for international schools will only be allowed to teach after being vetted and accredited by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
"From January, no one will teach in any school in Kenya unless registered with TSC," the CS announced.
