Good morning,
Around 15 million children opened schools for a new academic year yesterday.
This came amid calls by a majority of parents requesting the Ministry of Education to add them some more time to find money to take the children back to school.
Many of the parents were of the opinion that CS for Education Professor George Magoha should extend the date of re-opening schools by a week when every parent is expected to have received a salary.
A survey report by Teacher Sevice Commission(TSC) lists the fourth wave of Covid-19 as teachers’ greatest challenge as the new school term starts.
As it stands, only 158,720 teachers have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine with another 89,611 fully vaccinated, according to the Ministry of Health data.
TSC CEO Nancy Macharia said 454 teachers fully recovered from the virus further urging teachers to turn up for the vaccination to boost their immunity as they receive children in schools.
The commission further cautioned school heads over fee increment. The commission’s CEO said no child should be sent away for higher fees and cautioned that teachers found flouting fees guidelines will be punished.
Parents with students in national and extra-county schools located are expected to pay a Maximum yearly fee of Ksh 45,000 which is a revision from the previous structure in which the fees was around Ksh 55,000.
Whereas, parents with students in county and sub-county secondary will pay an annual maximum fee of Ksh 35,000. And parents whose children are in special needs schools will now part with a maximum of Ksh 10,860 yearly.
Do you think the hurried coverage of the syllabus may affect the quality of teaching and learning?
Meanwhile, here are the stories making headlines on Opera News today:
Raila to share ODM cash but is the 2022 deal with Kalonzo possible?
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM party has climbed down and eventually agreed to share political parties’ funds after four years of a standoff.
It was, however, not immediately clear if a 2022 deal between Raila and Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka was in the offing.
A tough-talking Kalonzo has ruled out playing second fiddle to anyone in the next year’s polls despite ODM unveiling the cash.
At a press conference Monday, Kalonzo revealed that Raila had written a letter informing them of the decision to share the party’s millions.
President Uhuru in London To Strengthen Kenya-UK Development Ties
Kenya’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) Manoah Esipisu has said President Kenyatta’s visit to the European country this week is aimed at strengthening the Kenya-UK strategic partnership.
Briefing the press in London ahead of the President’s arrival, Amb Esipisu said the highlight of the Kenyan leader’s visit will be his co-chairing of the Global Education Summit with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Amb Esipisu pointed out that the aim of the summit scheduled for July 28th and 29th is to raise funds for investment in the education of millions of vulnerable children around the globe.
Rigathi Gachagua Raises Sh12 Million Cash Bail in 3 Hours
Mathira Member of Parliament Rigathi Gachagua was on Monday presented in court over claims that he’s involved in economic crimes where approximately Sh7.4 billion has been transacted.
The court listened to the case and delivered a ruling releasing Gachagua on a Sh12 million cash bail or a Sh25 million bond after pleading ‘not guilty to all 6 charges in the case.
Following the ruling, many expected Gachagua to spend an extra night in custody as he sought to raise the funds, but he managed to raise the full amount in record three hours.