Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has defended the government’s move to give affirmative action to students from slums saying it gives them a chance to acquire quality education.
Speaking during the commissioning of a CBC classroom at Muchungucha secondary school, Murang’a, he stated that it was only fair for students from poor backgrounds to join national schools and compete with other students.
“Children from Kiandutu slums in Thika or those from Mji wa Huruma in Nairobi were given affirmative action to join national schools,” he said.
He also noted that this affirmative action is important so that the country can continue existing peacefully
“We must ensure that the weakest are taken care of,” he said, adding that he himself came from a poor background and was the beneficiary of a scholarship by President Jomo Kenyatta.
The CS noted that the Kenyan middle-class who can afford private school should do so.
“If you can afford to take your child to a private school, please do so that other less fortunate students get into the good public schools” he said. “If we don’t give affirmative action to some of these students, that will be the end of their dreams,” he added.
He lauded the President for introducing affirmative action and for providing money for 4,000 scholarships to needy students this year.
On the matter of CBC classrooms, the CS said that he expected that all classrooms in Murang’a are completed by April 20.
“In Murang’a, the classrooms are at 90 percent and they must be completed by April 20,” he stated. “We are rushing against time to complete phase one before schools reopen on April 25,” he added.
According to the CS, those contractors who have been efficient during the first phase of construction will be contracted during the second phase that is set to be done between May and July 2022.
