Let children play and be creative, says Education CS Fred Matiang'i

Uganda’s Bweranyangi Girls’ School present a Banyankole dance. Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has said that learners should be encouraged to participate in co-curricular activities. (PHOTO: GEORGE ORIDO/STANDARD)

Learners should be encouraged to participate in co-curricular activities, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has said.

He castigated schools that force pupils to report too early in school and leave late, warning that it was counter-productive.

Dr Matiang’i was speaking at the ongoing 90th edition of the annual Kenya Music Festival at Kasarani in Nairobi.

He directed the Director General of Education Leah Rotich to facilitate cultural exchange trips for learners with their Ugandan counterparts.

“The East Africa Community will best be realised with cultural activities and this is the way to go,” he said as he welcomed a 500-strong Ugandan delegation that performed at the Indoor Arena.

Matiang’i was impressed by Uganda’s Mbale Secondary School’s performance.

He pledged to visit the school next month. The institution hosted Kenyans last month for the first ever Kenya Uganda Music, Drama and Dance fete.

Food security

Bweranyangi Girls’ Senior School from western Uganda presented a Banyankole dance in praise of a farmer whose large herd of cattle is his source of food security and pride.

Other institutions from Uganda that performed included Iganga High School, West Ville, Mackay Memorial College Nateete, Trinity College, Buddo Secondary School, Kabale Secondary School, St Mary’s School Rushoroza and Luzira Secondary School.

Earlier, the CS and other members of the audience were treated to folk songs from the Luo, Luhya and Suba cultural sources with Bungoma High School coming tops in the class that had stiff competition.

St Sephen’s Sikusi presented a Bukusu song lamenting the loss of a daughter and cattle she had gone to graze in the bush while Rapogi Boys sang in praise of Oglwela Jawaya’s leadership.

Other performers in the category included St Charles Lwanga, Akithi Girls, Migori Boys’, Obera High, Kajembe Secondary, Umoja High School, Oruba High School, Omba Mixed Secondary and Rumuruti girls.