Baringo ghost schools saga is a matter of national shame

Baringo ghost schools saga is a matter of national shame

Imagine setting up a signpost tucked away in the bushes of Baringo’s hill country, adorned with a fancy name for a High School. Complete with contact details, there’s no effort to hide it, even from the prying eyes of curious onlookers.

To make this makeshift school official, it only takes navigating bureaucratic channels. Forms need filling, signatures acquired from eager accomplices at Jogoo House B, and just like that, you have a fully registered school. Thanks to the inefficiencies of those in Jogoo House B, the school is granted state funding without much scrutiny.

But this isn’t a joke; it’s a serious matter. Those responsible for overseeing education should be held accountable. Capitation, the funding provided to registered schools, is contingent upon meeting strict criteria outlined in the Education Act.

The registration process involves ensuring adequate infrastructure, from buildings to sanitation facilities, and passing inspections conducted by quality assurance officers. Yet, the thoroughness of these inspections is questionable.

After Ministry of Education (MoE) inspection, clearance from the Ministry of Health is required to ensure the school meets health standards. Once all forms are completed, they’re sent to Jogoo House B, where a department handles the paperwork, drowning in red tape and rubber stamps.

These bureaucrats, from ministers to underlings, are public servants paid with taxpayers’ money. Their negligence is unacceptable. Monthly Returns, detailing school statistics, are submitted regularly, yet somehow, scandals like this persist without detection.

There’s undoubtedly a conspiracy at play. Schools existing only on paper receive funding for years without scrutiny. The lack of accountability is alarming. We demand answers: who signed off on inspections, who authorized payments, and who overlooked these glaring discrepancies?

This country isn’t short on funds but on honest, patriotic civil servants. We need decisive action to weed out corruption and hold those responsible accountable. A commission of inquiry, led by the President, is necessary to address these issues and restore public trust.

Baringo ghost schools saga is a matter of national shame