Education reforms timely

NAIROBI: Several factors stand to blame for the drop in education standards. These include shortage of text books, an underdeveloped curriculum, lack of adequate teachers and inequitable distribution of other learning resources.

An expensive education system is also partly responsible for high school drop-out rates.
Another notable factor impacting negatively on the quality of education is chronic teacher absenteeism, which, in a way compounds poor staffing. It is for this reason that Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has issued a warning to teachers who disregard their work that they face the sack.

Apart from alcoholism, some teachers have taken on work that detracts them from their core responsibilities; imparting education to the youth.
Cases abound where teachers have been appointed chairmen of local enterprises like coffee and tea factories or run personal businesses during working hours.

In his efforts to reform the education sector, Dr Matiang’i needs the support of all stakeholders, but more importantly, that of teachers for him to effect positive change. Dr Matiang’i’s personalised approach shows he has the interests of the country at heart, so let’s support him.