Former Kwale Woman Representative and staunch ODM supporter Zuleikha Hassan has called on President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga to implement the pledge of free education fully.
Speaking in Kinango, Hassan said that now that the two leaders have agreed to work together, they must prioritize the education sector and honour all promises made to Kenyan citizens.
She said that access to education is a fundamental right and should not be hindered by financial constraints, especially for children from underprivileged backgrounds.
“Both President Ruto and Raila must ensure that the promise of free education is not just political rhetoric but a reality for every Kenyan child,” she said.
Hassan urged Raila, given his significant influence in national politics, to advocate for increased funding for the education sector.
She noted that despite previous government commitments, many children across the country still face challenges accessing quality education due to financial barriers.
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“We have seen leaders promise free education, but implementation has always been challenging. Now that Raila and Ruto are working together, they must ensure that no child is left behind due to a lack of school fees or learning materials,” she said.
She cited issues such as delayed funds disbursement to schools, inadequate infrastructure, and the shortage of teachers as critical challenges that need urgent attention.
Hassan insisted that increasing budgetary allocations to education would help address the problems and improve learning conditions for students.
She reminded the government that education is not a privilege but a constitutional right.
She challenged relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Education, to work towards making primary and secondary education entirely free, as previously promised.
“We cannot continue having children out of school because their parents cannot afford fees. If Kenya truly wants to develop, we must invest in education and ensure every child, regardless of background, gets quality learning opportunities,” she said.
Hassan said education is the key to breaking the poverty cycle, and leaders must work together to ensure that promise is fulfilled.
By Omar Shaban
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