Day: November 27, 2021

The Ministry of Education is set to revamp Educational Assessment and Resource Centres (EARCS) with a view to strengthening its ability to assess the nature and extent of disabilities facing children.
The assessment will enable the government to decide on the intervention required to mitigate the disability and place the children in appropriate educational institutions.
The State Department for Early Learning & Basic Education and University Education and Research Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Ms Mumina Bonaya made this revelation during the official closing of the 3rd National Conference on Special Education at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) in Nairobi.
She said that the re-organization of EARCS will ensure 100 per cent placement, access, equity, quality, relevance, transition, and completion of all children at all levels, in line with the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).
“Parents should present their children with various disabilities to EARCS where the government can assess the disability and place the children in educational institutions that will develop their abilities and talents,” Bonaya said in a statement sent to news rooms.
The CAS expressed concern that some parents hid their children thus denying them the opportunities to develop their innate abilities and talents.
She emphasized on the government policy on education aimed at educating every child.
“The CBC has provided for diversity in endowments and it seeks to develop the varied potential of every child,” she noted.
KISE Director Dr. Norman Kiogora said that special needs education for children is not readily appreciated.
He revealed that the children had emotional and learning difficulties which teachers attribute to naughtiness.
“Training institutions for teachers should teach special needs education programs which will enable them to handle students with more understanding and empathy,” he advised.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenya’s Solicitor General, Ken Ogeto, has opened an ultra-modern tuition block worth Sh 44 million at Menyenya Mixed Secondary school in Nyamira County.
Ogeto, while presiding over the function commended the school alumni, parents and other stakeholders for making the dream by giving back to the community because each played a critical role in ensuring the tuition block is complete.
“I received a lot of support from several teams of friends, well-wishers and stakeholders who accepted to be part of this noble course when I approached them and informed them about my desire to improve the learning environment of the students in Menyenya Secondary school,” said the solicitor.
He warned students against bragging about magnificent structures in their school because it is not about the physical structures which will enable them excel in their studies but their personal determination to work hard, believe in their potential and trust in God.
“Though very beautiful, this tuition block, will not bring you the good grades you aspire to achieve, but your personal drive to work hard, discipline, a resilient spirit and trust in God because all your dreams are valid just put your best foot forth,” the Solicitor general advised.
“When I was in this school between 1981 and 1984, the school didn’t have sophisticated and adequately equipped buildings like the ones you are having today, we used to fetch water from a nearby river for personal and school use. We could sleep in dilapidated structures left by white settlers which were turned into dormitories but despite the hardships I excelled and here we are appointed as senior government officials Ogeto revealed.
The officer further warned the students against allowing themselves to be foolishly influenced by wrong peers who intend to distract them from their ambition of achieving good grades or lure them into destructive indiscipline habits like destroying school property.
“I want to congratulate the School Principal, Charles Maangi for prudent management of resources given to him to manage for the construction of this tuition block and greatly thank the school management for the honor of naming the tuition block after me,” he stated.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The government is modernizing and expanding technical and vocational training institutions to create a technical savvy human resource to meet current industry standards.
Vocational and Technical Training Principal Secretary Dr. Margaret Mwakima said the government would be re-equipping vocational and training institutions to address the growing demand for industrial and vibrant vocational training.
The state department has facilitated the establishment and operationalization of regulatory agencies such as the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Authority and Kenya National Qualifications Authority to ensure quality and proper regulation of the TVET sector.
The PS said the government was also establishing centres of excellence in various institutions in order to support the development of skills for the manufacturing pillar under the big four agenda in collaboration with development partners.
Dr. Mwakima was speaking during the 16th graduation ceremony of the Eldoret National Polytechnic that saw over 3,800 trainees receive certificates and diplomas for various courses.
The PS said the government has increased the number of TVET institutions from 58 in 2013 to 238 currently, a move that has seen the government invest more than Sh.10 billion.
“Due to the Sh. 10.3 billion capitation grant and Sh. 11.1 billion Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans to TVET trainees, there has been an increase in enrolment from 55,945 in 2013 to 249,316 in 2021,” she said.
Additionally, she said the government is continuously releasing conditional grants amounting to Sh.2 billion to vocational training centres so that county governments can use the facilities to ensure young people are given quality skills that meet both local and international standards.
The PS affirmed the government’s commitment to providing human and capital resources to ensure smooth operations in all TVET institutions.
“Arrangements are in place to recruit over 3,000 trainers to be able to address the current shortage in all the TVET institutions,” she said
Dr. Mwakima said there is a need to train a critical mass of technologists, technicians, and artisans in order to achieve socio-economic growth in the country, adding that TVET institutions are expected to play a crucial role in bridging identified skills deficit in the country’s job market.
At the same time, the PS urged those graduating from the technical training institutions to use the knowledge and skills acquired to create employment for themselves and other youths.
“When you graduate with your start-up tools, if you are linked to the financial institution, you can become an entrepreneur, therefore, employing yourself and employing others,” she observed.

Source: Kenya News Agency

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has thanked the founders of Kianda School for setting up the institution which she said had played a big role in the transformation of the wellbeing of the Kenyan girl-child for over 40 years through education.
The First Lady, who is an alumnus of Kianda School, said the institution has given Kenyan girls an opportunity to acquire virtues and develop good character in their pursuit of knowledge making them productive citizens.
“As a past student of Kianda, I owe deep gratitude to the four noble ladies who conceived the mission of the Foundation that has transformed lives of many girls and the values of Kianda School, and its unique approach to education for girls is one that we are proud to be associated with as alumni, parents and students,” said the First Lady.
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta spoke Saturday morning when she flagged off the Kianda School Peperuka Marathon at Tigoni in Kiambu County which is aimed at raising funds for the financing of girls’ education in Kenya.
The First Lady applauded former students of Kianda School for selflessly giving back to the institution through mentorship and contribution to the school scholarship kitty dubbed Peperuka Scholarship Endowment Fund.
“I acknowledge the positive ripple effect of the scholarship fund; girls who have benefitted from the fund have been positively impacted and empowered. I applaud their devotion to give back through their participation in the Kianda mentorship program,” the First Lady said.
She thanked Kianda Foundation, formed 60 years ago and which spearheaded the formation of Kianda School in 1977, for setting up Peperuka Scholarship Endowment Fund saying the kitty had supported the education of over 200 girls in recent years.
“The idea of the Kianda Foundation has advanced over the years with the birth of the Peperuka Scholarship Endowment Fund. This Fund has become a true landmark in the school’s history that has provided over 200 scholarships to young girls.
“The success of the Peperuka Scholarship Fund is the reason we have gathered this morning; to make certain that many more girls from less fortunate homes live the Kianda experience,” she said.
The First Lady congratulated parents, students, alumni, friends and partners for supporting the marathon.
“The aim of the fund is noble and I applaud everyone here – parents and students, alumni, friends and partners – for coming together for this marathon,” she said.
In her remarks, Kianda School Principal Joan Odera said the Peperuka Scholarship Fund was set up to assist needy girls to access education at the non-profit private school.

Source: President Republic of Kenya