Primary education stumps Kenya

2005-04-13 11:01

Nairobi - A Kenyan cabinet minister has admitted that the implementation of free primary education has proved to be a more serious challenge to the government than originally thought in relation to access and equity.

Speaking in Nairobi, the minister of Education, Science and Technology, George Saitoti conceded that the programme, which increased primary school enrolment from 5.9 million in 2002 to 7.2 million in 2005 faces numerous challenges.

These include over-crowding, over-stretched facilities and high cost of equipment for children with special needs. The Kenyan government has embarked on resource mobilisation and capacity building in order to address the challenges, Saitoti said during the launch of multimillion dollar Oil Producing and Exporting Countries (OPEC-funded project for the rehabilitation of public schools in Kenya.

The project's main aim is to provide quality education and increase access and equity in schools. The project, which is among 66 other donor-funded projects earmarked for implementation early last year, will cost $15m. OPEC member states have given $13.7m, while the Kenyan government will provide the balance of $1.3m.

The money will be used to rehabilitate the learning environment, provide basic facilities such as water and sanitation and enhance the teaching and learning conditions by strengthening management and governance of the schools.

- Business in Africa