Nairobi, Kenya – The Kenyan Government, through its Education Ministry, has raised alarms over the growing trend of school invasions prompted by dissatisfaction with national examination results. These incidents have led to the harassment and assault of some teachers, a development that has drawn the attention of Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), Dr. Ezekiel Machogu.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Ministry has observed several cases of teacher harassment since the release of the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Examination results on January 8, 2024. Machogu expressed the Ministry’s concern over this trend, which unfairly places the responsibility for students’ poor performance in examinations solely on teachers, particularly school heads.
Machogu emphasized the collective responsibility of parents, teachers, and students in contributing to academic achievement. He reminded the public that the performance in examinations reflects the combined efforts of all stakeholders involved in the educational process.
Furthermore, the CS highlighted the Ministry of Education and the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC)’s robust mechanisms for evaluating teacher performance. These systems ensure that underperforming staff are addressed according to existing laws and policies.
In a firm stance against the invasions, Machogu stated that any future acts of forcibly removing teachers from schools will be treated as criminal offenses, warranting decisive action from law enforcement agencies. He advised any stakeholders with grievances about school performance in national examinations to seek resolution through legal channels and report their concerns to the appropriate authorities.
NAIROBI – The National Association of Private Universities of Kenya (NAPUK) is calling on local higher education institutions to enhance their competitiveness in research and innovations, aiming to boost their global appeal. Dr. Vincent Gaitho, Chairperson of NAPUK, highlighted that Kenyan universities possess a competitive edge due to the country’s peaceful environment, making them capable of surpassing other African universities.
According to Kenya News Agency, the increasing number of international students at Kenyan universities is a testament to their growing appeal. He emphasized the need for additional support and branding to elevate these institutions to top competitive levels. This push comes in the wake of a recent UniRanks report, which places nine Kenyan universities among the top 100 in Africa, marking a significant rise in their continental prominence.
Dr. Gaitho expressed his satisfaction with the rankings, noting that they serve as a motivation for local universities to continue striving for excellence in various areas including research, knowledge transfer, international outlook, and teaching. He believes that these efforts will contribute to producing graduates who are competitive in the global market.
The ranking reveals that the University of Nairobi (UON) is ranked sixth in Africa, followed by Kenyatta University (KU) at 28th, Strathmore University at 42nd, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) at 49th, and Mount Kenya University (MKU) at 51st. Other Kenyan universities in the top 100 include United States International University Africa at 65th, Egerton University at 81st, Moi University at 82nd, and Methodist University also at 82nd. On a national level, the top spots are held by UON, KU, Strathmore University, JKUAT, and MKU respectively.
The UniRanks survey, conducted last year and released recently, assessed universities based on various performance indicators such as research, knowledge transfer, international outlook, teaching, and accreditation by relevant higher education bodies. In a broader continental context, South Africa leads with 19 universities in the top 100, including seven in the top 10, with the University of Cape Town securing the top position. On a global scale, the University of Nairobi ranks at 924, while South Africa’s University of Cape Town is at 236. Harvard University in the United States maintains its position as the top university globally for the sixth consecutive year.
Murang’a, Kenya – The Murang’a County Government has announced the issuance of bursaries totaling Sh. 118 million, aimed at supporting 3,000 secondary school students who are academically bright but financially disadvantaged. This initiative is part of the county’s efforts to facilitate access to secondary education.
According to Kenya News Agency, During the Education Day event attended by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, Governor Irungu Kang’ata detailed the distribution of these bursaries. According to Kang’ata, the top five students from public schools in the most recent Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams will each receive Sh. 15,000. The bursaries are intended to encourage students to excel academically in national examinations.
Orphans and students with disabilities from the county, as well as those joining secondary schools, will each receive Sh. 10,000. Additionally, the county government has increased ward bursaries from Sh. 1 million to Sh. 2 million per ward. This increase, Kang’ata noted, will expand the reach of financial support to more needy learners across Murang’a.
Kang’ata also highlighted support for students from local day secondary schools who attain grades qualifying them for university admission. Each of these students will be granted Sh. 12,000. He praised the performance of local day secondary schools, mentioning Muthithi, Ngurweini, and Karega as examples of schools successfully sending a significant number of students to universities.
The Governor expressed gratitude to teachers and stakeholders in the county, reaffirming his commitment to making education accessible to all students in Murang’a.
In his address, Machogu dispelled rumors that the national government intends to take over Early Childhood Development Education Centres (ECDE) from counties, as suggested by President William Ruto’s education reform plan. He clarified that the national government complements the efforts of county governments in education, with both levels adhering to their constitutional roles.
Machogu acknowledged the shared resources between ECDE centres and primary schools, managed by the national government, and explained that this overlap led to the proposal for a comprehensive school system. He praised the implementation of a feeding program by Governor Kang’ata, which benefits over 42,000 ECDE learners in Murang’a, providing them with daily porridge to aid their focus and learning.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized the importance of a strong foundation in early childhood education, noting that a solid start at this stage bodes well for a child’s continued educational success.
Vihiga, Kenya – In a move to enhance educational standards, Vihiga County Commissioner (CC) Felix Watakila has urged parents and guardians in the region to ensure that learners progress to their next academic levels. This directive aligns with the Kenyan government’s policy of ensuring a 100 percent transition rate in education.
According to Kenya News Agency, Addressing a public forum in Luanda Sub-county, Watakila emphasized the importance of all learners who completed the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) to transition to grade six and form one, respectively. He directed local Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs to rigorously implement these government policies within their jurisdictions.
The Commissioner expressed concern over the growing issue of child labor in urban centers, particularly in the streets of Luanda, Majengo, Mbale, and Chavakali townships. Notably, school-age children are being found hawking foodstuff and other wares, an issue that contradicts the government’s educational objectives.
To address this challenge, Watakila announced that the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), in collaboration with the police, will initiate operations to apprehend child hawkers. These operations will involve placing the children in police custody and processing charges against their parents.
Watakila also highlighted the serious issue of sexual abuse against teenage girls in the county. He stated that a multisectoral approach is being employed to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. The County Commissioner expressed concern over the high number of defilement cases reported both to local administrators and at police stations. He called on residents to uphold societal moral codes of conduct for the common good, emphasizing the community’s role in safeguarding the well-being and rights of its younger members.