EDITOR’S NOTE: Address looming food crisis in schools
THE sharp increase in commodities prices might force some schools to close prematurely. Already some schools are considering ending the school term early as an option. Other schools have resorted to serving one meal a day.
THE sharp increase in commodities prices might force some schools to close prematurely. Already some schools are considering ending the school term early as an option. Other schools have resorted to serving one meal a day.
Many of the schools have cut on the quality and quantity of the food given to pupils. This alone is an indicator that the Government needs to work out an emergency plan to rescue the schools.
The problem is hitting government schools harder than the private schools.
To some extent, private schools have the flexibility to adjust by increasing fees to mitigate the problem.
However, this is not the case for government schools which have a fixed budget and are not allowed to charge any fee for meals.
The Government has never made a significant review of the unit cost for primary schools since free education started. The cost of commodities and services consumed by schools have, over the years, shot up.
In 1997 when Universal Primary Education was launched, a kilogram of maize flour cost sh450. It has since increased four times, to over sh1,500.
This applies to all commodities used by schools. In light of this huge leap in prices, the unit cost for schools should be revised to reflect these changes.
Headteachers have had to desperately look for alternative means to keep the schools running, like taking credit from suppliers.
But the decisions they make now have serious consequences in future, because the creditors are taking advantage of the crisis to negotiate unfavourable terms with schools. This could end up trapping schools in a cycle of debts.
The food crisis has affected planning in schools already grappling with shortage of resources. Some schools are diverting funds for other academic activities to fill the gaps.
This has a negative bearing on academic performance. A quick intervention is therefore necessary.
Many of the schools have cut on the quality and quantity of the food given to pupils. This alone is an indicator that the Government needs to work out an emergency plan to rescue the schools.
The problem is hitting government schools harder than the private schools.
To some extent, private schools have the flexibility to adjust by increasing fees to mitigate the problem.
However, this is not the case for government schools which have a fixed budget and are not allowed to charge any fee for meals.
The Government has never made a significant review of the unit cost for primary schools since free education started. The cost of commodities and services consumed by schools have, over the years, shot up.
In 1997 when Universal Primary Education was launched, a kilogram of maize flour cost sh450. It has since increased four times, to over sh1,500.
This applies to all commodities used by schools. In light of this huge leap in prices, the unit cost for schools should be revised to reflect these changes.
Headteachers have had to desperately look for alternative means to keep the schools running, like taking credit from suppliers.
But the decisions they make now have serious consequences in future, because the creditors are taking advantage of the crisis to negotiate unfavourable terms with schools. This could end up trapping schools in a cycle of debts.
The food crisis has affected planning in schools already grappling with shortage of resources. Some schools are diverting funds for other academic activities to fill the gaps.
This has a negative bearing on academic performance. A quick intervention is therefore necessary.