Parents at Parklands Baptist School have called on the Board of Management (BoM) to prioritize the improvement of learning conditions and enhance engagement with parents in decision-making processes that directly affect their children’s education.
During a meeting convened on Tuesday, parents expressed frustration over a 20 per cent fee increase announced for the 2025–2026 academic year, citing lack of consultation, poor infrastructure, and declining standards in school facilities. They urged the board to first address deteriorating conditions before implementing any fee adjustments.
Ms. Darlyn, a parent with four children at the school, said the fee hike was abrupt and unjustified. “We received the new structure at the end of the term without consultation. For families like ours, planning is critical. The figures don’t match what we see in the school, there’s no improvement in classrooms, food quality, or facilities,” she said. She also called for a forensic audit of the school’s finances to determine how funds have been utilized in recent years.
Parents cited deteriorating infrastructure, including broken furniture, inadequate learning materials, and malfunctioning laboratories. Mr. Mburu, chairperson of class representatives, said the school’s computer and science labs were barely functional, while junior secondary learners lacked proper dining facilities. “Some children eat while holding plates on their laps because there are no tables,” he said.
Concerns were also raised over the quality of food, limited extracurricular activities, and declining student welfare. Parents claimed that clubs and sports programs that once gave the school a competitive edge have collapsed due to poor management and lack of investment.
Dr. Mugo, another parent, urged the school to adopt sustainable solutions to enhance the learning environment. “Instead of paying millions for offsite swimming lessons, the school can build its own pool. That would save costs and give children more time to develop their talents,” he said.
Furthetmore, parents renewed calls for the establishment of a Parents and Teachers Association (PTA), as required under the Basic Education Act (2013), to foster dialogue and protect teachers from intimidation. They argued that the absence of a PTA has hindered transparency and accountability.
The parents further appealed to the church leadership to intervene, separate the management of the church from that of the school, and reconstitute the board whose term they say has lapsed.
“Our call is simple,” said Mr. Mbaya. “Engage parents, improve learning conditions, and make decisions that truly benefit our children. We want Parklands Baptist to thrive, but that can only happen through partnership and accountability.”