" Educational PlanningProcess of determining the objectives of education, educational institutions, or educationalprograms and the means (activities, procedures, resources, etc.) for attaining them(http://www.education.com/definition/educational-planning)The following points highlight importance of educational planning (G.A Bannaars et. al, 1994)- Assist in the formulation of educational philosophies and policies, general goals andobjectives- Assists in procuring and organizing information on personnel, physical facilities, materialresources, examines the available procedures and determines priorities, establishes propercommunication network and examines financial resources and its allocation to various units.- Evaluation and assessment of established objectives to find out how well they are achievedEducational Planning in KenyaEducational development in post independent Kenya had the same impetus as in all the othernewly formed nations in the developing world. Educational development was geared towardsamong others; alleviation of conditions of ignorance, poverty and disease which were and arestill major foes of development of most parts of Africa. It was also to address employment andmanpower needs in all sectors of the economy and restoration of some of the African values andcultural heritage which had been eroded by colonial influences. According to James R. Sheffield (1971), Kenya had three long range educational goals thatincluded provision of universal primary education, ensuring enough places at the secondary andhigher levels for educating those with recognized abilities and organizing educational system formeeting the country’s manpower needs, therefore stressing expenditure in education as aninvestment in the nation’s economic development. - 7 - The new independence government of Kenya set development plans geared towards achievementof economic development. In these plans education featured greatly after such sectors asagriculture that had already been recognized as the major contributor of national economy.(Development plan of 1966 – 70)The development plan of 1970 – 1974 aimed at promoting rural development that would in effecthelp reduce income gap between rural and urban areas. In this development plan, the governmentexpressed its commitment to achieve universal primary education and increase average class sizefrom 32 to 40. 1970 was put as the year that the government would assume all financialresponsibility for primary education in county council areas to help equalize opportunities. Inaddition the secondary school curriculum was to be made more relevant to the country’s socialand economic needs. All this was in line with implementation of the Kenya EducationCommission’s (The Ominde Commission) recommendations.The Ominde Commission was a task force appointed by the Minister of Education immediatelyafter independence as an advisory committee to the new government on the situation ofeducational resources and come up with a formula of national educational policy formulation.The commission carried out its work between 1964 and 1965 and came up with educationalobjectives that would be actualized within a timeline of ten years (1965 – 75). These are asspelled by D.Sifuna (1990)- As a function of the nation, education must foster a sense of nationhood and promote nationalunity.- It must serve the needs of the people and of the country indiscriminately.- While public schools are instruments of the secular state, they must respect the religiousconvictions of all people. - 8 - - Respect all Kenyan cultural traditions that find expression in both social institutions andsocial relationships.- Should restrain excessively competitive spirit in schools as this is incompatible withtraditional beliefs. Every child enrolled in school must be made to realize their important roleto play in national life.- Education must be regarded and used as an instrument for the conscious change of attitudesand relationships, prepare children for attitude change as well as promote respect for humanpersonality.- It must sub verse the needs of national development.- Education must endeavour to promote social equality and remove race, religion and tribaldivisions- At all levels, it must result in adaptability to change.Similar educational goals were outlined by subsequent commissions such as the Nationalcommittee on Educational Objectives and Polices of 1976 and the 1988 Report of PresidentialWorking Party on Education and Manpower Training (The Kamunge’s Report)While pre-independence conditions had education designed for socially stratified race-basedgroups of Africans, Asians and Europeans, post independence policies had the task of uniting thedifferent racial and ethnic groups that constituted the new nation.The Universal Free Primary Education This was one of the most urgent educational goals that the new government wanted toaccomplish. It was a pre-independent pledge made by the then ruling party KANU (KenyaAfrican National Union) before it assumed power after independence. In 1971, the presidentmade a declaration that all districts with unfavourable geographical conditions which includedNortheastern province and the districts of Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu, Turkana, West Pokot, Tana - 9 -"