Government Lines Draws on Politics at Schools
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has fired a strong warning to political leaders saying, permitting political interference to exist will implications damage consequences to the learning standards and greatly over the years derail key reforms being implemented across the education system.
Speaking on Monday, Ogamba made specific mention that schools must remain neutral spaces dedicated to nurturing learners and preparing them for national development, not platforms for gaining political mileage.
National Schools Are Mean underscore Unity
He made these remarks during his inspection on grade 10 admissions at Kamahuha Girls High School, Mumbi Girls High School, and then up to Murang’a High School. He said that some leaders are crying for national schools to accept a bigger majority from the local areas, which goes against the purpose for which these schools were conceived.
Ogamba said national schools represent the face of Kenya and were designed to promote national cohesion by admitting learners from all parts of the country.
“The need to have a face of that school that truly represents Kenya, and yet brings national cohesion, was accepted to all corners of the country,” said Ogamba.
According to him, politicizing the admission space of schools and their governance will prove adverse for national cohesion and compromise the education quality and standards if left unchecked. Educaiton policy should be informed by professionalism, data, and understanding of the best interest to the learner rather than political pressure.
That assurance on Fees, Capitation, and Grade 10 Transition
Ogamba said the government has also been committed to ensuring that learners are not protected from drug and substance abuse but will also be considered for protection against what he described as negative politics, which usually divide them and thus deter them from lifting their full academic potential. He further asked all political leaders to exercise restraint and indulge in constructive politics rather than demonizing the government programmes.
“Let us talk about the matters that concern the public constructively so that education can continue to be the unifying factor and not a battleground for political interests,” he said.
At the same time, the CS dismissed claims that school fees had been increased and government capitation reduced, terming the allegations misleading. He said parents are paying fees similar to what was charged last year and called on leaders to stop spreading unnecessary alarm.
The assurance given by Ogaba is that the learners who sat the KJSEA will transition to senior secondary schools under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) model without any hindrances. Teachers have been trained to handle Grade 10, infrastructure expanded to ensure that education officers have been deployed countrywide to oversee admissions and ensure a smooth and transparent process.
He advised to the students to follow the discipline and concentrate his studies towards an ideal future; hard work and discipline are prerequisites for the attainment of success. This Murang’a County inspection is part of the ongoing assessments, which continue taking place in schools, in which the ministry intends to assess the preparedness and address any emerging challenges early on.
About the Author
