Open letter to Prof Kaimenyi on education sector crises

Dear Prof Jacob Kaimenyi, I wish I had the opportunity to share with you what I want to say in this letter face-to-face. But since you are a busy man, I know it may not be possible for you to spare some time for me.

However, if you don’t get time to read this, your press secretary should remember to tell you the gist of my concerns.

First, education is under siege. Even though the national exams, which you swore would take place, are on their credibility is seriously being put to test. I know you feared that were you to stop the exams and order thorough investigations, then your your enemies – read the union officials who wanted them postponed – would be been seen to have won.

However sir, do you have an option when it is even being said that the marking schemes for the same are doing rounds on social media? Maybe quality is not the issue here.

Secondly, for numerous reasons, tribalism being one of them, various universities have been closed after student riots, the latest being Maseno University. With universities being the highest institutions whose credibility should not be doubted, are you sure we are getting the best? Forget about the degree certificates scandal, there are other issues about the credibility of the courses they offer.

Thirdly, the introduction of free primary education and free day secondary education was to increase access and I believe that has been achieved. However, are you aware that the increased capitation for the same may not have been implemented despite the President telling the whole nation that the figures had improved?

Are you also aware that it took up to three weeks after you announced the disbursement of funds for it to be actually done, despite this being seriously behind schedule?

BURSARIES MISSING

Are you also aware that Government bursaries for bright but needy students in secondary schools have been missing for close to two years? There has been not a single cent for the same and I am not even sure it was part of the budget.

Fourth, my son will be in Standard Two next year and already he is throwing tantrums threatening to repeat because he has seen neither the laptop nor the tablet he was supposed to have been given.

Finally sir, I hope you have recently been told of the number of young teachers turning against their students. Remember you train teachers before you hand them over to the TSC to manage them. Are you also aware some of the doctors you train carry their notes to theatre rooms? This happened to me and so if you hear about someone who died in the theatre, it is probably because the surgeon was still referring to his lecture notes in the middle of the operation.

I know you are very busy but when you get to read this or you are briefed, look at the issues raised because I am sure as a distinguished professor, you will give it your best attention. And when you finally have your job evaluated by God, our Salaries and Remuneration Commission having completed theirs and handed you juicy perks, it will be that courtesy of your job, there will be many more distinguished professors.

If this does not happen sir, my fears are contained in this play that was staged by a school from the Lake region at the national drama festivals. The school is Karabok Secondary from Homa Bay County and the title of their play was “The Wolves”. It does not talk about you sir: It talks about us.

I would have loved to say more but the bell is tolling and I have to rush to class to count another day so that at the end of the month I may have something for my children. The money I got from selling part of my kitchen garden has so far run out.