Two Central MPs have defended Education CS Fred Matiang’i saying the condemnation he is under is an
unwarranted political war.
Matiang'i has been criticised by people including NASA leader Raila Odinga and KNUT secretary general Wilson Sossion over poor performance in the 2017 KCSE tests and his drastic reforms.
The latest is the transfer of 557 principals, a move the Cabinet Secretary said was aimed at ending conflict
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MPs Patrick Wainaina (Wa Jungle) and Joseph Nduati (Fundi) said on Thursday that
education matters should not be politicised.
They spoke at Equity Bank's Kenyatta highway
branch in Thika where they met beneficiaries of the Wings to Fly programme. Among applicants were needy people from
Thika and Gatanga constituencies.
The legislators noted Matiang’i has streamlined processes and sealed loopholes.
”Those complaining are the ones who benefit from examination scandals,” said Wainaina.
“For a student to get 350 and more marks in Matiangi’s era, he or she must have truly struggled."
Wainaina said private schools should not be condemned as they play a significant role in the education sector.
“What we will do is uplift public schools, not condemn private ones."
He added that teachers at
public schools should be commended for their work and that all stakeholders should play their parts to improve performance.
"Teachers are not robots," he noted.
The MPs urged parents to take children who got low marks to polytechnics and colleges.
"These kids can start with certificate courses and eventually join universities. In fact those who go through this process are more polished and equipped than those who go to university directly,” said Nduati.