“However, we have said that centralization of distribution of books cannot work because 40 years ago we had the same system and it failed,” he said/MIKE KARIUKI
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 16 – The Kenya Publishers Association has protested the government’s decision to take over the procurement and distribution of books in public schools, saying it is inefficient.
Speaking during a press conference on Sunday, Chairman David Waweru indicated that the Ministry of Education should instead put in place a system that will discourage corruption and misappropriation of funds.
Waweru pointed out that KPA has created a proposal which will among other things seek to ensure that the distribution method is under school heads and the control measures that can be put in place to reduce loss of funds.
“We agree with government that there must be some drastic changes to the distribution of books. However, we have said that centralization of distribution of books cannot work because 40 years ago we had the same system and it failed,” he said.
Waweru further explained that rather then move to different schools, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i should ensure there is an inspection team which will ensure textbooks arrive in schools and are being utilised properly.
“There is no business that can be allowed to operate if it thrives on stealing the dreams of Kenyan children. There is no business that should be allowed to thrive if it thrives on corruption. There is no business that should be allowed to thrive if it thrives on corruption and dilutes the quality of education,” he stated.
Matiang’i had called for a radical review of the textbook distribution method under the free basic education programme.
He had stated that the method was full of serious accountability issues, noting that student to book ratio was about 5:1 despite the billions the government was pumping into schools.
The Cabinet Secretary called for a radical review of the textbook distribution method under the free basic education programme.
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