MATIANGI THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB
The narrative that the burning of our
schools is due to the stringent new rules imposed by cabinet secretary for
Education, hon. Fred Matiang’i is a fallacy. So sad that former prime minister
too, opted to apportion blame to the CS. It is absolutely preposterous to claim,
a few rules the government incepted to curtail cheating and promote quality and
standards of education is now the matchstick striking the schools ablaze.
When the former prime minister and
proponents choose to coerce the government into restoring the old order of
cheating as disproved by investigations into the sickening nationwide exam
cheating, in last year’s examinations; You wonder if those against CS Matiang’i
are really honest , or are just up to
gain some cheap political mileage. Politicizing the torching of schools is the worst
mistake politicians and wannabes are making.
Extension of third term by just one
week, restricting movements in and out of school by non-candidates and
nullification of prayer meetings in third term cannot incite such a zealous
proclivity to burn schools. The students cannot be tired when it is only two
weeks to go. It is hypocritical for religious leaders to
claim that the outlawing of prayer meetings in schools is an attempt to lock
God out of the whole process of examinations. Here I agree with CS Matiang’i,
only the Pharisees would believe that they must pray in the school in order for
God to make the candidates pass their exams. God is omnipresent and omnipotent,
they can pray away from school. God will definitely hear and answer if they
pray heartfully.
Though the problem in burning schools
is partly due to indiscipline and lack of alternative avenues of communication
by students and school management, the management is largely to blame. Even the
reintroduction of corporal punishment alone cannot be enough, since it was
initially proved to abet burning of schools. It all boils down to management
even if we have to employ professional counsellors or force the head teachers
to reside in schools.
It is almost likely that the cartels
who over the decades have been surviving by pouring money to facilitate
leakages as a lucrative money train, are fighting back. They could be working
through, students, teachers, school heads or boards of management.
CS Fred Matiangi has made a prudent choice to
eradicate these exam leakage cartels once for all. He needs applause and
support, and the same should be replicated in corruption and other national
vices. He is the man for this job. There is absolutely no need to close schools
and interrupt learning, when only last September, learning was interrupted for
almost two months due to 50-60 pay-hike impasse.
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