AFRICA/KENYA - Over 300,000 students at risk for losing their place in state high schools; Archdiocese of Nairobi reopens parochial school

Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - The new year began in Kenya with bad news for 300,000 students that might not have access to secondary schools supported by the Government. The measure comes after the scandal of the millions of shillings that had been destined to support free primary schools, and which have now vanished without a trace. After eight years of study, almost half the entire student population, which is about 727,000 pupils, will remain out of the school system and this is the final year for obtaining the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). As the agency IRIN informs, the vicissitudes of free primary education in Kenya have long been the object of investigation and and legal battles. Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Nairobi, Cardinal John Njue, announced that the Archdiocese of Nairobi is working on recovering one of its parochial schools situated at Nairobi's Holy Family Minor Basilica. The management of the school, opened in the 60s and with a capacity of over 600 pupils, was taken from the Church by authorities in Nairobi in the 80s. The Cardinal assured parents and teachers that he had already appointed a Principal for the School, Sister Jane Kevin of the Little Sisters of St. Francis, and that some problems with the government have already been resolved through the Ministry of Education. (AP) (18/1/2010 Agenzia Fides)