This archive report was first published on 4 December 2019.
On December 4, 2019, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha made it clear that the government would not be revisiting the policy of purchasing central textbooks for primary schools.
Magoha's statement came after the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary General Wilson Sossion extended an olive branch to the education bosses, asking them to dialogue with the union to resolve issues affecting the sector.
However, Magoha ruled out any talks with the giant union, saying that the government would continue to purchase textbooks for schools.
“Textbooks shall continue to be purchased by the good government of Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta who has delegated the prefect-ship to my most humble self. I shall ensure that every child in Kenya is given a book at the cheapest price because I have no interest. The head teachers have no issues. Why are you bringing it back again? The history is not very nice. Let’s not go back to it,” the CS said.
Magoha's statement was in response to Knut's claims that the procurement of textbooks had become a conduit for corruption and that the textbooks were not suitable for all learners.
“A mathematic book for Grade 3 at Nairobi Primary cannot be the same as for a primary school in rural Wajir because learners are at different levels,” Mr Sossion said.
At the same time, head teachers have been warned against procuring competency-based curriculum assessment materials from unqualified individuals, which are eroding gains made by the new curriculum.
