NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 11 – The Education sector will soon undergo major transformation aimed at realigning its laws and regulations with those of the new Constitution, Education Minister Sam Ongeri said on Wednesday.
Prof Ongeri explained that his ministry would need to review 150 education legislations to conform to the new education framework.
“If there’s a disconnect, then the Millennium Development Goal of education for all by 2015 will be a mirage and the Vision 2030 will just be lying in our shelves,” said Prof Ongeri.
He added that Kenyan leaders would have to make deliberate efforts in addressing the inequalities that exist in the country.
“The (current) concept of a leader is that you are on top of the pyramid and everybody below you must answer to you. You give commands and they take the commands; the king versus the subject. That kind of leadership must change,” he argued.
Prof Ongeri who was speaking during the inauguration of the Kenya Education Staff Institute (KESI) council members also asked public education institutions to properly manage the resources that were dispensed to them. He further asked them to steamroll their management capacities.
Some of the members of the new KESI council are Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Olive Mugenda who is the chairperson, Education Permanent Secretary James ole Kiyiapi and Teachers Service Commission secretary Gabriel Lengoiboni.
In her speech, Prof Mugenda asked the government to re-engineer the teachers’ training institution by providing additional resources. She argued that the institution required proper infrastructure for it to meet its mandate.
“We need these (resources) to train our teachers so that they are adequately prepared to perform their duties. We also have some land in Kayole that we want to develop so that we can also have enough facilities for our teachers,” she said adding that the institution also wanted to hire additional staff.
She also commended the KESI Director Dr Wanjiru Kariuki saying she was doing a good job.
On his part, Education Secretary Prof George Godia asked the government to increase the institution’s capacity in Information and Technology. He also pointed out the need to decentralise the education sector and implement education within the devolved structures.
“The new law will have a huge implication on education and we need to understand how we will adjust to those changes,” he said.
The leaders also called on development partners to provide financial and capacity building assistance that would help the institution meet its mandate in line with the country’s Vision 2030.
Other KESI council members include: Kenya Institute of Education Director Lydia Nzomo, KESI Director Wanjiru Kariuki, a representative from the Kenya Association for Primary Teachers Training Colleges – James Ziro, a representative from the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association – Cleophas Tirop and a representative from the Kenya Primary School Heads Association- Joseph Karuga.
Others are a representative from the Kenya Diploma Colleges Principals Association- Jessica Simiyu, one Advocate of the High Court- George Opiyo, a Broadcast Consultant- John Osoro, an Accountant- Hawa Mohammed and Chairman of the Dan Eldon Place of Tomorrow- Mike Eldon.
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