Uhuru: We must nurture talents in our students

President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre) Education CS Fred Matiang’i (left) ICT CS Joe Mucheru and pupils from various schools during the launch of the new curriculum text books and also flagging off of the caravans to deliver the books to various counties at the COMASTEA complex in Karen, Nairobi. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

President Uhuru Kenyatta Friday said the new curriculum and the provision of free education will help identify and exploit to the fullest individual learners’ talents.

President Kenyatta said the overhaul of learning and teaching, and the availability of education for all, will enable every Kenyan child to acquire quality education that will help them get the necessary skills and knowledge for developing the country.

“The new curriculum will get the best out of every child and not pressure them with exams. Our children can be best players of football, carpenters and engineers without even going to the university,” he said.

He was flagging off the distribution of Sh7.5 billion textbooks to primary and secondary schools across the country Friday.

The President said reducing prices of textbooks by half will cut the cost of education for parents and guardians.

He told publishers that the government had made a good deal with publishers of the primary and secondary school textbooks, and they should therefore sell the books at half price to private and religious institutions.

President Kenyatta said the government has spent Sh6.6 billion this financial year on expansion and improvement of schools to admit more learners.

He urged teachers to dedicate their work to improving quality of education for learners, adding that schools must have a friendly learning environment.

He reiterated that the new curriculum was on, and urged the Ministry of Education to always consult with other stakeholders to continue improving education quality.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the launch of the new curriculum marked a milestone in Kenya’s education sector. He lauded the one-textbook-one-student ration as the best that will ensure children have quality education.

He praised the President, saying it was easy to achieve the new curriculum because he was personally involved.

Mutheu Kasanga, the Kenya Private Schools Association Secretary, said, “We appreciate that as private institutions, the government has involved us fully in the formation of the new curriculum.”

More teachers

Kenya Publishers Association chairman Lawrence Njagi said the new textbooks are the best because their publishing involved a lot of consultations with various stakeholders.

“We are all in agreement on the course books and the new curriculum,” said Njagi.

Munir Abdullahi, 17, is one of the students who received books from the President during the launch.

The student at Lang’ata High School received course books in Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, Biology and Chemistry.

“I feel privileged to receive these course books. We now need to work hard as an appreciation to all the stakeholders involved in the new curriculum,” said a happy Munir.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) secretary general Akello Misori demanded that more teachers be employed so as to offer quality education. 

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