Kenyan legislators are set to summon the leadership of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) over allegations of uneven textbook distribution to schools. The National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education chairperson, Dick Maungu, stated that the committee had discovered irregularities in the distribution of textbooks, with some schools receiving excess books while others, particularly C3 and C4 schools, face shortages. This has resulted in learners in some schools sharing textbooks, which disadvantages them.
The irregularities were uncovered during the committee's examination of the Auditor-General's reports for C1 schools from 2020 to 2025. The reports revealed that some C1 schools, such as Shimo la Tewa High School, had over 1,000 extra textbooks stored away and unused. In contrast, some C3 and C4 schools in Turkana had no textbooks at all. Maungu expressed concern that the KICD's distribution methods seemed discriminatory, with some schools receiving more textbooks than others.
The committee's findings also raised questions about the classification of schools under the Competency-Based Education system. Under this system, senior secondary schools are classified into four tiers: C1, C2, C3, and C4. Maungu questioned how the KICD determines the number of textbooks each school should receive, suggesting that the process may be flawed. The committee plans to invite KICD leadership to explain the distribution methods and address the irregularities.
The committee also discovered that schools contribute money to the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha), but these funds are not audited. Maungu stated that this lack of transparency and accountability is concerning, as public funds are being used without being audited. The committee plans to invite Kessha's leadership to explain its financial dealings and ensure that the association receives money through proper channels.
Furthermore, the committee found a unique case in the Coast region, where a county education director had written letters to principals of C1 schools, forcing them to contribute money to Kessha. Maungu questioned the director's authority to make such demands, stating that it was unclear where he derived his powers from. The committee also discovered discrepancies in the amounts received by schools at the Coast, which differed from those recorded in the National Education Management Information System (Nemis).
The procurement of CBC classrooms also came under scrutiny, with principals reporting that they had received funds but were not involved in the procurement process. Maungu stated that the Education Cabinet Secretary or Principal Secretary would be invited to shed light on how the CBC classrooms were procured and managed. Despite these concerns, Maungu expressed satisfaction that principals had been audited for the first time, describing it as an encouraging development.
The allegations of uneven textbook distribution and questions over the handling of public funds have prompted lawmakers to seek explanations from KICD and Kessha. The committee's findings raise questions about textbook allocation, school contributions, and the procurement of CBC classrooms, particularly at the Coast. The summoning of KICD and Kessha leadership is expected to shed more light on these issues and potentially lead to reforms.
Key points
- - Kenyan lawmakers to summon KICD leadership over allegations of skewed textbook distribution. - The committee discovered irregularities in textbook distribution, with some schools receiving excess books while others face shortages. - The procurement of CBC classrooms and handling of public funds by Kessha also came under scrutiny.
