Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has issued
a stinging critique of the government’s handling of the education sector,
warning that Kenya cannot aspire to global benchmarks such as Singapore while
chaos persists in school administration and funding.
In remarks directed at the current administration, Matiang’i
called for urgent, inclusive consultations to address what he described as
growing confusion and hardship facing parents and learners.
Speaking at PCEA Muguga Parish in Kiambu County, he
questioned whether, even within the remaining period of the administration’s
term, leaders were willing to take decisive corrective action.
“Even within these months left for this administration, can
they have an urgent consultative meeting with critical sector players to save
the parents the pain of this madness?” Matiang’i posed.
He argued that resolving the challenges in the education
sector requires broad engagement with professionals and stakeholders who
directly manage and support schools.
Matiang’i specifically cited school heads, teachers’ unions,
parents’ associations and faith-based organisations as essential voices in any
reform process.
“Get the professionals, Primary and Secondary schools heads
associations, the unions, parents associations, and the faith-based leaders
because the church has invested in education,” he said, noting that many
schools in Kenya were founded and continue to be supported by religious
institutions.
According to the former CS, such consultations would give
government leaders a clearer picture of the strain current policies have placed
on families and schools.
“Call these leaders to tell you the pain the parents are
facing,” he added.
Matiang’i accused the government of presiding over disorder
in the education sector, questioning policy decisions that have left parents
confused and institutions struggling to cope.
He challenged authorities to account for problems in school
placement and funding, particularly reductions in capitation.
“Can we solve the chaos you have created in the education
sector?” he asked.
He further questioned the state’s ability to manage core
administrative functions in education, arguing that systemic failures undermine
Kenya’s development ambitions.
“You can’t place children in school, you are not able to
explain why you reduced capitation,” Matiang’i said.
Framing his criticism in comparative terms, Matiang’i
dismissed rhetoric about transforming Kenya into a global success story without
first fixing foundational systems.
“How are you going to Singapore with such?” he asked, concluding
that without urgent reforms, aspirations to match high-performing education
systems remain unattainable.
His remarks come against the backdrop of criticism by other
opposition leaders over the system used by the government in placing Grade 10
students into schools.
Some, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, said
learners in national schools must be guided by regional balance to ensure
fairness.
Speaking on Friday, the DCP leader said local children
should be prioritised when placing learners in Grade 10 in schools within their
regions, provided they meet the required entry points.
“National schools are very critical because they have a very
developed infrastructure, and they attract the best among other children. The
issue that I raised, and I must continue raising, is that there must be
fairness in the placement of children in national schools,” he said.
The former deputy president noted that while national
schools are meant to enjoy equal status regardless of location, the reality on
the ground is different.
