Education reforms must aim at improving quality of learning

Ongoing reforms in the education sector should not create a fresh wedge among stakeholders. The new directions are ruffling feathers as the academic calendar, starting January next year, beckons. The changes must be in the best interest of learners and improving the quality of instruction. For far too long, the education sector has been marred with altercations between the Government, the teachers’ employer and the unions, especially when deliberating on terms of service.

Teachers’ unions have been known more for calling industrial actions over remuneration than agitating for better learning environments. The abrasive Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has rolled out a raft of changes including a new curriculum, free secondary education and radical proposals to universities from next year.