Fred Matiang'i management style wanting

As a society we appreciate the good work Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i is doing. He took the ministry by storm and gusto.

Immediately he took over, he hit the road running. Indeed, he has demonstrated that President Uhuru Kenyatta made the right choice.

He has what it takes to run the ministry. He has silenced the dissenting voices which used to emanate from the two giant teachers unions: Kuppet and Knut.

At the top of the ministry the CS is doing a superb work. He comes out as brilliant and has the grasp of education matters.

However, lately, his trips across the country are unfortunate. Such trips have demonstrated that his management style at the grassroots is wanting.

He has constantly appeared on camera harassing poor head teachers and principals.

Storming schools with journalists, and harassing and intimidating school managers is taking us back to the 1970s when school inspectors and education officials would visit a school impromptu with one objective; embarrass teachers.

This was done even in front of parents and learners. In the 21st Century, such actions are archaic and unacceptable. Dr Matiang'i should realise that management styles keep on changing in a dynamic way.

Management styles are not static. I believe we have come a long way as a nation and we are in a modern society. We live in a society of democracy, negotiations and give and take.

Harassing and forcing head teachers and principals to toe the line may seem to be effective in the short run but it will not be tenable in the long run. The CC should appreciate that school managers run schools under many challenges.