KUPPET Raises Concerns Over Parent Association Election Delays.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has voiced significant concerns regarding the delays in the holding of parent association elections across the country.
These delays have raised questions about the Ministry of Education’s role in facilitating these elections, as well as the broader implications for school governance and parental involvement in educational matters.
Honorable Omboko Milemba, MP for Emuhaya, posed several questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education regarding the conduct of parent association elections.
He asked why the Ministry had not authorized elections for parent associations in various counties and sub-counties.
Additionally, he sought clarification on the specific date when these elections would be held and inquired about the measures the Ministry has put in place to ensure that such elections occur regularly in the future, promoting effective school management.
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“Provide a specific date when the parent association elections in various counties and sub-counties will be held.”
Hon. Omboko expressed concerns that the elections within the National Parents Association has not been held in over six years. He pointed out that the management of Parent Associations was essential to ensure a safety mechanism within schools.
The responsibility for overseeing the smooth operation of this system fell under the Ministry, and he emphasized that this was a critical area that had been neglected.
Initially, there were multiple associations competing against each other, which led to inefficiencies in the education system. Omboko reminded the Minister of his awareness of this issue and questioned what actions were being taken to rectify it.
He further inquired if the Minister was aware that elections had not been conducted for the past six years and asked what steps the Ministry was taking to ensure that elections were held in all schools, or at least in specific ones.
Omboko stated that the Ministry could not evade this responsibility, as it directly impacted the management and governance of education.
Cabinet Secretary’s Response
While appearing before the National Assembly, the Cabinet Secretary explained that according to paragraph 5 of the third schedule of the Basic Education Act 2013, national, county, and sub-county parent associations should be established and elected by their respective parent associations using a delegate system.
These associations, like other registered organizations, are governed by their own constitutions.
Ogamba said the Ministry does not need to authorize elections at the county or sub-county levels. The constitution of each association outlines how elections for officials should be conducted.
He noted that Parent Associations in schools were operational and functioning. However, he confirmed that the National Parents Association, the overarching body, had not conducted elections.
The Cabinet Secretary also emphasized that while the Ministry does not directly oversee these elections, it is available to provide support when requested to facilitate free, fair, and transparent elections in line with the associations’ constitutions.
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Regarding school-level management, the Ministry has ensured compliance with the Basic Education Act’s requirements, with functional parent associations in schools. Parents are also represented on school Boards of Management, as required by section 56(1) of the Act.
The Education CS acknowledged these concerns, pledging regulatory improvements and further investigations into unresolved matters.
KUPPET Raises Concerns Over Parent Association Election Delays.
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