Kenia

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Kenya: Govt releases implementation guidelines for school projects

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Africa/Kenya/29-01-2021/Author:Claire Wanja/Source: www.kbc.co.ke

The Ministry of Education says the same guidelines spelt out for Implementation of projects under Maintenance and Improvement Fund (M&IF) will also apply for projects under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP).

In a circular dated 14th January 2020, the Principal Secretary for Early Learning and Basic Education, Dr Belio Kipsang also noted that the Ministry will disburse Ksh.5,000 per student in 2020/2021 financial year. In January, 2021 Ksh.2,000 was released.

The PS noted that the scope of projects to be undertaken using the MA&IF has been expanded to cover construction and repair of classrooms, laboratories, sanitation facilities, dormitories and dining halls and procurement of chairs, desks and laboratory stools.

“Approval for continuing/extension of projects should be subject to provision and submission of Public Works structural Engineer’s report on the viability of existing project coupled with its funding history. The purpose of this is to ensure all projects started are completed as fast as possible.” He said Dr Kipsang maintained that the approval levels contained in the circular Ref. MOE.HQS/36/36 dated 12″ February, 2020 remains where schools that receive funding of up to Ksh.5Million are required to seek approval from the office of the County Director of Education.

Schools that receive funding of between Ksh.5Million to 10Million are required to seek approval from the office of the Regional Coordinator of Education and schools that receive funding of above Ksh.10Million to seek approval from the Ministry Headquarters.

For approval of the projects, the schools are required to have a request letter forwarded by the County Director of Education/Sub County Director of Education; a clear statement on whether the project would be full contract or labour based accompanied with appropriate Bill of Quantities; Minutes of School Infrastructure Committee (SIC); Minutes of Board of Management (BOM) and Bill of Quantities (BQ).

Also architectural/Structural/Electrical/Mechanical= drawings— where applicable; Bank Statement showing availability of funds in the School Infrastructure Account; Copy of approval of project(s) undertaken using the Maintenance and Improvement Fund (M&IF) for 2020; Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) may be combined with Maintenance and Improvement Fund grant to undertake the authorized projects except dormitory projects.

For continuing projects, the school should provide financial and procurement details, photographs and evidence that the contractor has been discharged from site without any debt; Schools should file to the County Director of Education quarterly progress reports of all projects being undertaken and a copy of the School Infrastructure Development Plan (SIDP).

The PS noted that co-funding of projects between the Ministry and any other donor will take place when each of the partners will fund and supervise a complete phase of the project, which will also be audited by the funding agency. This he said will ensure that there is no comingling of funds.

For a partner taking over a new phase of a project, they shall be required to be furnished with an Inspection Report on viability of the project from Public Works Structural Engineer and evidence that the previous contractor has been discharged from the site without any debts.

For stalled projects, a complete assessment of its status and reasons for its stalling be done by the Public Works before any take over.

“Failure to apply for approval or undertake a project that has not been approved will result in severe sanction including refund of the amount spent.” Said Kipsang

He pointed out that Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) and Maintenance and Improvement Fund (M&IF) should not be used for other purposes except the authorized projects and NO school will be allowed to commence on a project before approval is obtained.

“In this regard, you are required to convey the contents of this circular to all Principals and School Boards of Management (BOMs) in your area of jurisdiction.” He added.

Source and Image: https://www.kbc.co.ke/govt-releases-implementation-guidelines-for-school-projects/

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Kenya: Kisii student charged with attempted murder of teachers

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Africa/Kenya/15-01-2021/Author: Joseph Cheruiyot/KNA/Fuente: www.kbc.co.ke

A Kisii School student who assaulted his two teachers by stabbing them has been arraigned at a Kisii court and charged with two counts of attempted murder.

Isaiah Edward Flora, a form three student aged 17, clad in school uniform, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence and was freed on Sh50,000 cash bail.

The suspect appeared before Kisii Senior Resident Magistrate Steve Onjoro and was charged that on January 12 at 7.30 am at Kisii School, Kisii central sub county, he attempted to kill Edward Mokaya by stabbing him four times.

In the second count, the suspect faced a similar charge which stated that on the same date and place, contrary to the relevant law, he attempted to kill Elvin Maoto by stabbing him. The magistrate ruled that the suspect be released on sh. 50,000 cash bail or a bond of sh. 100,000.

The prosecution was led by Hilary Kaino while Ben Gichana represented the suspect.

The student allegedly reported late to school and declined to be reprimanded by Teacher Edwin Mokaya, and instead flushed out a knife viciously attacking him and Elvin Maato who came to rescue his colleague.

Also Read  Kiambu murder victim James Kinyanjui laid to rest

School rules stipulate that all students entering the institution from holiday are thoroughly frisked by the administration including the use of metal detectors.

The two teachers who sustained serious, face, head, legs and back injuries were rushed to Ram private hospital in Kisii town where Maato received medication and was discharged.

According to the hospital’s administrator Enock Abobo, Mokaya was admitted pending surgery in the theatre.

Source and Image: https://www.kbc.co.ke/kisii-student-charged-with-attempted-murder-of-teachers/

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Kenia: NMS to distribute free masks to schools

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NMS to distribute free masks to schools

At least 30,500 needy pupils in Nairobi are set to benefit from free mask distribution by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).

This comes after the Major General Mohammed Badi-led office launched the distribution of 61,000 face masks to at least one school in each of the 17 sub-Counties in Nairobi County.

NMS Health Services Director Dr Josephine Kibaru-Mbae said that as part of the exercises every pupil will be given two face masks each.

She pointed out that the face masks were donated to NMS by Kings Collection as part of the ongoing Covid-19 sensitization exercise in schools by NMS’s health team.

The NMS director said they have tasked the sub-county team to identify one school from their area which will then benefit from the distribution with the target being extremely needy pupils.

Already, 2,500 pupils from Reuben Primary School in Mukuru Kwa Reuben, Embakasi South sub-County and another 2,000 pupils from St. Elizabeth Primary School in Makadara sub-County have received the face masks in day one of the exercise where 9,000 said masks were given out.

Another 700 pupils from Muthurwa Primary School and 2,000 from Our Lady of Nazareth Primary School in Mukuru Kwa Njenga also benefited from the distribution.

“Hopefully we will finish the exercise by the end of this week. This was a donation given to NMS by Kings Collection but we are also looking for other partners to help us with more masks for distribution,” said Dr Kibaru-Mbae.

The director said the exercise has come in handy bearing in mind that Nairobi County continues to bear the biggest brunt of Covid-19.

Currently, the capital city accounts for more than half of the total 97,733 confirmed cases countrywide as of January 7, 2021.

Mid-December, NMS launched a six-week health outreach programme across all the 17 sub-Counties working with Kenya Red Cross and Unicef by offering free medical services including vaccination, family planning, Covid-19 tests among other services with health officers mobilising locals to access the services brought nearer their homes.

As part of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the national government entity has also been supplying water to informal settlements in Nairobi procuring a fleet of 24 water bowsers to ensure the residents have reliable and consistent water supply.

“Further, a total of 193 boreholes have since been sunk and above ground storage tanks and water kiosks established, all managed by area residents. Water vending has also been digitised to ensure accountability and lock out water cartels. Extended piping and repair across the county is also underway to improve the water supply experience,” said Dr Kibaru-Mbae.

Fuente de la Información: https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/general/nms-to-distribute-free-masks-to-schools

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Kenya: Government urged to minimise congestion in schools

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Africa/Kenya/06-01-2021/Author and Source: www.kbc.co.ke

The Ministry of Education has been urged to devise ways of minimising congestion in schools in order to ensure social distancing among learners is achieved.

The National Assembly Administration and Security Committee chairman, Paul Koinange, said when schools re-open Monday, social distancing will pose a major challenge, noting that if not thoroughly addressed, the spread of Covid-19 could increase uncontrollably.

The chairman said the ministry should consider adopting the idea of having morning and afternoon classes in respective streams, noting that despite the fact that most schools have put in place the required ministry of health guidelines, social distancing would be hard to achieve.

Source and Image: https://www.kbc.co.ke/government-urged-to-minimise-congestion-in-schools/

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Kenya: Ksh 4B for free primary education released

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Africa/Kenya/05-01-2021/Author and Source: www.kbc.co.ke

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has said the government has  released 4 billion shillings meant for free primary education.

Speaking during a tour to assess the state of preparedness of schools in Kibera  Secondary school Magoha says the government has put in place all measures to ensure smooth resumption of learning noting that deficiencies in the system will be dealt with as learning continues.

The CS cautioned head teachers against sending pupils home due to school fees arrears.

The Education Cabinet Secretary has urged parents to ensure that their children have facemasks saying masks are now considered part of the school uniform.

Magoha also said Precious Talent Academy be reopened for learners in January noting that the school had made changes to meet basic guidelines on safety and health.

He said enrollment at the should not exceed 600 learners.

The school which is located in Dagoretti was shut down in September due to substandard learning structures.

Source and Image: https://www.kbc.co.ke/ksh-40b-for-free-primary-education-released/

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Kenya: Barchok raises reservations over the planned full re-opening of schools

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Africa/Kenya/21-12-2020/Author: Nicholas Kigondu / Stanley Mbugua/Source: www.kbc.co.ke

Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok has raised concern over the state of schools ahead of the planned full re-opening set for January 4th 2021.

Speaking at Ol’Ng’oswet dispensary in Bomet East during a ward visit, Barchok said the ministry of education has not done enough to ensure that schools are ready to re-open.

He said the government should prioritize supporting schools to expand existing infrastructure especially now that the country is faced with the Covid19 pandemic.

According to Barchok, the money meant to expand classrooms are yet to reach respective schools and those contracted to make more desks have not received their payments.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha announced that all schools in the country will reopen on January 4 after nearly a year of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. The decision was arrived at following a stakeholders meeting with the government having gradually reopened schools beginning October with learners in Grade 4, class 8 and form 4 having already kicked off their second terms.

The reopening of schools will mark the beginning of the second term of the school calendar which will end on March 19. All learners, with the exception of Class 8 and Form 4, will then have a seven-week holiday to allow primary and secondary school candidates to sit for their exams.

According to the calendar released by the education ministry, Students in Grade 4 and incoming Form One students will remain at home as other learners complete the third term of the school calendar.

Source and Image: https://www.kbc.co.ke/barchok-raises-reservations-over-the-planned-full-re-opening-of-schools/

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Kenya: Govt to develop a digital map to boost school titling program

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Africa/Kenya/11-12-2020/Author an Source: www.kbc.co.ke

The government is developing a digital map indicating the status of land-ownership for all public schools across the country as part of plans to bolster the ongoing campaign of issuing title deeds to government learning institutions to protect them from land grabbers.

Officials with Shule Yangu Alliance, a joint venture by government and partners drawn from the private sector, say the digital map will be in an online portal to give the true reflection of land-ownership for thousands of public schools in all the 47 counties.

Mr. Edwin Birech, a program officer with Shule Yangu Alliance, disclosed that the majority of schools in the country were at risk of being grabbed due lack of title deeds.

Already, he added, 4,000 public schools, both secondary and primary, have registered complaints of being embroiled in land ownership wrangles with suspected fraudsters masquerading as private investors.

Mr. Birech called for community-involvement in safeguarding the schools by establishing the status of such institutions especially if they are located within their areas to shield them from land grabbers and other risks.

He was speaking at Voi on Thursday during a sensitization workshop on the importance of promoting the issuance of title deeds to schools. Amongst those present included members of locally-based Community Based Organization (CBOs), religious leaders, youth leaders and rights activists from the region.

“These public schools principally serve communities in that immediate neighborhood. This is why the public must strive to find out if those schools have title deeds and if not, what is their status so far,” he advised.

The interactive digital map will indicate the counties and all public schools within them. Specific data from schools will include name of school, size of land, status of land ownership and whether the school had land-related cases.

Mr. Birech stated the map will be a one-stop point for providing accurate data on school land. He admitted that tracing some vital documents related to schools was a challenge owing to several factors including devolution where land ownership changed from municipal and town councils to county government.

“Documents for land allocated for schools by former town and municipal councils takes longer to find owing to changes in management of land systems from councils to counties. We are however confident we will get all data and upload it on the portal for people to know the status of their schools,” he said.

From independence to 2015, only 4,998 schools had been issued with title deeds out of over 32,000 registered public schools.

Data from the Shule Yangu Alliance Campaign shows that after the initiative was launched, the number of learning institutions with title deeds rose to 14,714 by 2020. This, the officials say, is a gain of 9,700 title deeds within five years.

A school-ownership registration audit done in 2018/19 disclosed that 4,100 public schools in Kenya are at risk of being grabbed. The officials said there are 161 active cases of school-land grab being followed for action with a view of ensuring the institutions were not deprived of their land.

He disclosed that those cases involved boundary disputes, multiple allocations and blatant grabbing.

Mr. Derick Makhandia, a law expert with Transparency International; a partner in the campaign, stated that community sensitization was key to protecting public schools from being grabbed. He noted that most school land was located in prime areas that had high market value and therefore faced significantly higher risks of being appropriated by fraudsters out to make quick money.

“The onus lies with everyone to make sure the schools are secured from any of those risks,” he said.

In Taita-Taveta County, only 46 public schools have title deeds out of over 300 institutions.  In counties like West Pokot, not a single public school has a title deed.

The Shule Yangu Campaign has already conducted sensitization workshops in several counties including Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Kiambu, Nairobi, Machakos and Kisumu. Others counties are Homabay and Vihiga.

In May, the Chief Administrative Secretary for Lands Gideon Mung’aro said the Lands Ministry would start issuing title deeds for all public lands in the country; a program that will run alongside the Shule Yangu Campaign

Source and Image: https://www.kbc.co.ke/govt-to-develop-a-digital-map-to-boost-school-titling-program/

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