The achievement of the Africa Agenda 2063 Aspiration 1 – A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development – requires that African countries, Kenya not excluded, makes significant investments in education with the aim of developing human and socio capital through an education and skills revolution emphasizing innovation, science and technology.
In 2008, while committing to the ambitious vision of becoming a newly industrialized nation by 2030, Kenya committed to prioritize reforming its education systems as a key to achieving this goal. What we’ve seen in the recent past and currently in the education sector is a total controversy. With 6 years to elapse for vision 2030 to mature, the country still hasn’t made education her priority agenda in my own opinion.
The recent teachers’ strikes, from primary to tertiary institutions, continue to gradually paralyze the education sector and intensely affect learning activities.
Is it not painful and shameful enough seeing our children loitering on the streets during learning hours, panicked and wondering about their fate in their studies? The government has refused to give a listening ear to the clearly articulated grievances of teachers and instead has decided to give it the silent treatment.
While the teachers are complaining, the government is busy looking for next vocabulary to politicize it. It is bitter and shameful seeing our university students wondering what their fate is due to the lecturer’s strike while the government officials are wondering on how to increase their term limits in office, whom to impeach and their replacements.
Many university students are deferring their studies while the government continues to make education unaffordable for the less fortunate Kenyans.
The late Nelson Mandela said that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change a nation. To revitalize the education sector in Kenya which slowly but constantly continues to move towards an abyss of no light, the government must develop a strong relationship and partnership with education bodies and teachers’ unions.
YOU MAY ALSO READ:
Choose your country over abroad opportunities, graduates told
KNUT, KUPPET and UASU leadership must also incorporate teachers and lecturers in their decision making processes for the harmonization of the sector in all levels. Schools can’t become the best places for students to learn and grow unless they are made best places for teachers to work and grow.
An investment in education pays the best interests, a quote by Benjamin Franklin goes. So as the government is working on the achievement of the Aspiration 1 of the Agenda 2063 and the Vision 2030, much effort must be channeled towards the education sector.
By Waakili Maxwell O. Aloo
The writer is a Pan-Africanist, Teacher and Activist.
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
