Get more involved in education matter, CS urges private sector

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has called on the private sector to get more involved in education matters to help raise the standards in the country.

Machogu on Saturday said extra-curricular activities like essay competitions help develop children’s thinking capacity, stimulates their creativity and enhance their innovation.

“It is through such competitions that we test the quality of standards of what our children receive as education in their respective institutions.

“Therefore, we must never stop challenging our children to think over and above their classrooms,” the CS said.

This was contained in a speech read on his behalf by the ministry’s Quality Assurance assistant director Eliud Wambua on Saturday at the award ceremony for five winners of the second edition of Sawa Essay Competition held at Pwani Oil Products Limited plant at Kikambala, Kilifi county.

The competition is sponsored by Pwani Oil Products in partnership with the Kenya Primary School Headteachers Association and the Education ministry.

Kepsha chairperson Johnson Nzioka said the essay competition augurs well with the Competency-Based Curriculum, which is being implemented in the country at the moment and, therefore, needs to be upscaled.

He said such strategic partnerships are a crucial part of the association and will strive to draw in more partners for different co-curricular activities.

“Our children need to be all-rounded products and not by products,” he said.

Pwani Oil Products director Rajul Malde said both the ministry and the company have vested interests in education.

While the ministry is keen on expanding the ability of students outside the classroom, Pwani Oil Products benefits from having a pool of people with high literacy rates and abilities that can serve the market needs to pick from for employment.

“On our part we benefit from the creativity and innovation that is brought on the table by such people harnessed by an essay competition like this,” Malde said.

The director said the completion is a testament to the power of education and the transformative effect it can have on society.

“Together, we have enhanced the creative writing and thinking abilities of pupils from 7,361 schools across 42 counties out of 47 in Kenya,” Malde said, adding that he believes in the power of ideas and the strength of written words.

Education should be the cornerstone of progress and teachers have a vital role in inspiring and nurturing the spirit of curiosity in learners, he said.

“Education is not merely the acquisition if knowledge. It is the transformation of minds, the cultivation of critical thinking and the fuel that ignites the flames of innovation.” 

Innovation, he said, is about finding that disruption that the consumer desires but does not know they desire it.

Machogu said unity of purpose and a vision to refine the lives of communities drives the ministry to form such partnerships.

He said that in this era of rapid technological advancement and ever evolving global challenges, the ability to articulate and express ideas in small children is crucial.

“The Education ministry recognises the importance of nurturing and encouraging young writers. We firmly believe that every student has a unique voice that deserves to be heard,” the CS said.

He said the ministry is committed to fostering a culture of creativity and excellence in education and committed to creating a safe environment for all stakeholders, including school children, parents and partners, to thrive.

“This is the kind of environment that we will help our children grow and become well-rounded individuals who can contribute positively to the society,” Machogu said. 

The ministry endorsed the competition and encouraged all the Grade 6 and 7 pupils to participate in it anytime it is rolled out.