Ministry Told to Keep Off School in Dispute

15 June 2011

Nairobi — A parliamentary committee has asked the Education ministry to abide by a court order preventing it from interfering in the management of Aga Khan Primary School in Nairobi.

But the ministry should also undertake a quality inspection of the school to determine whether the quality of education has been compromised.

The Education team chaired by Mosop MP David Koech had been petitioned by the school’s Parents and Teachers Association over the tussle between them and the Aga Khan Education Services (AKES).

A court had ruled in favour of AKES and the committee observed that, “the minister cannot stop AKES from interfering in the school’s management as the court’s ruling is in favour of AKES managing the school.”

“Further, a temporary injunction prevents the parents from managing the school and holding any meetings where the agenda impacts the running and management of the school pending the hearing of the suit.”

According to the committee’s report, which was tabled on Wednesday, the land on which the school is built was leased to H.H. Sultan Mohammed Shah to hold in trust for education purposes.

The special conditions of the lease allowed the government to take back all or part of the land, but only after paying for the approved buildings on it.

A court ruling handing the management of the school to AKES had been defied, the report noted, and it was not clear who was in charge as there is no School Management Committee.

Both the parents and AKES have separate accounts and have been collecting fees yet the school has also been receiving Free Primary Education funds.

The Teachers Service Commission has 36 teachers posted there but there is no headteacher, the report says.

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