Magoha urges politicians to weigh words, avert v******e
As Kenyans go for elections tomorrow, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has urged politicians to measure their public statements to avert fuelling hostility in the country that could further interrupt the school calendar.
Speaking yesterday after commissioning a new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) classroom at Juja Farm Secondary in Juja, Kiambu county, Prof Magoha, stressed the need for politicians to tone down insults to avoid plunging the country into chaos.
The CS insisted that politicians seeking various elective positions should be ready to accept the will of Kenyans and allow the country, especially the education sector to continue without interruptions.
“I plead with all politicians, the big and the small ones, when you accept to compete and you are more than one, there can only be one winner. You must, therefore, be prepared to win or lose. Politicians should measure whatever they say in public and accept the fact that winners will be our leaders for the next five leaders,” he said.
Magoha exuded optimism that the country will remain peaceful even after polls stating that from the expression of presidential candidates, who have committed to shake hands irrespective of the outcome, Kenyans will continue with their activities uninterrupted.
“We only have one country to live in and this should inform us on the need of not spreading words of hatred,” he said.
Resume studies
The CS at the same time announced that learners will resume studies as earlier announced by his ministry unless his office pronounces itself otherwise.
“The children should go back to school on August 11 assuming that everything else is constant but because we love our children, if we feel that they should stay home for one or two more days, we will then pronounce ourselves at that time. The public should not be worried at all,” he stated.
He made the statement even as learners across the country continue to wait for the normal school calendar to return to normal from January next year.
The sector which was heavily affected during the pandemic period saw schools closed to combat spread of the killer disease besides facilitating postponement of 2020’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations.
Meanwhile, Magoha revealed that only 60 per cent of the CBC classrooms have been completed.
He, however, upheld that the current government is determined to complete the remaining 40 per cent before a new administration takes over insisting that he will continue to inspect construction of the education facilities until a new President is sworn in.
He maintained that even after the country gets a president elect, he will continue to render his services until he hands over the ministry to his successor.
“In my assessment, it takes fourteen days to wait whether a presidential contender will go to court over election disputes or not. During the two weeks, I will still be working unless Kenyans tell me otherwise. Until another president is sworn in, we will continue to work. I’m doing this for the love of our children,” he insisted.
Magoha stated the 10,000 CBC classroom facilities, done at Sh798,000 contrary to the normal classrooms which are put up at an average cost of Sh1.2 million will mark part of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s legacy.
Important legacy
“We are on course but there is work to be done and that is why we continue to inspire our officers to lead both from the back and front. This will be a very important legacy statement by the President who is completing his term,” said Magoha.
He pointed out that the country is fully prepared to implement the CBC system stating that both assessment and training of teachers has been done.
“The books for grade seven are going to be in schools in due course. It’s a done deal when it comes to CBC preparedness,” he added.
Magoha who sought forgiveness from persons he may have wronged during his term of service noted that under President Kenyatta’s tenure, the government has saved over Sh4 billion in construction of classrooms.
“In my time of service, I have blocked quite a number of channels which were previously used to siphon government money which looked normal but that is water under the bridge,” he added.
