NAIROBI, August 14 – President Mwai Kibaki on Thursday said that the government was committed to maintaining quality education in the country.
The Head of State said despite the challenges facing the education sector, his government would maintain the required standards.
“Despite the heavy challenges of free education, we are committed to ensuring a conducive learning environment for students,” he stressed.
He urged faith-based organisations to continue supporting the government in developing a curriculum on Religious and Social Studies.
President Kibaki said the existing partnership between the government and religious institutions would help improve the sense of responsibility and patriotism amongst students.
The Head of State pointed out that the recent violence witnessed in some schools calls for more effort to enhance discipline, and added that issues of morality must not be left to teachers or the Government alone.
In this regard, the Head of State called on parents, churches and society in general to play their rightful roles in moulding the country’s youth into responsible citizens.
“We must all play our rightful roles. As parents, churches or even as a society we have an obligation to ensure that our young people are moulded to become responsible citizens,” he said.
The President stated that all religious groups must re-examine their effectiveness as spiritual guardians of the society.
“Let us help our children to understand that wisdom comes from listening, not from talking or shouting.”
Speaking when he officially opened the Sh230 million Methodist Ministries Centre at Lavington Green in Nairobi, President Kibaki said his Government appreciates the role churches continue to play in promoting peaceful co-existence amongst all Kenyans.
“We need to love one another and live harmoniously with our neighbours. Where differences and misunderstandings arise, we must learn to discuss and resolve them peacefully,” President Kibaki said.
The President thanked the church and civil society for taking an active role in reconciling Kenyans following the post-election challenges the country faced earlier in the year.
He said his Government encourages faith-based institutions to partner with it in implementing its development agenda.
In keeping with the country’s ideals as outlined in the Vision 2030, the Head of state called on the private sector, NGOs, community and faith based organisations to honour and also increase their contribution under their corporate social responsibility programmes.
He assured that his Government would continue offering incentives to encourage organisations that participate in social welfare activities, including tax incentives.
President Kibaki particularly commended the Methodist Church for its visionary leadership and clear development agenda that is changing many lives.
“I appeal to all the churches and other members of the civil society to emulate their example so that together we can build a prosperous country,” the President Kibaki observed.
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