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{
    "id": 222585,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/222585/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 163,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Dr. Kuti",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister of State for Youth Affairs",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 60,
        "legal_name": "Mohammed Abdi Kuti",
        "slug": "mohammed-kuti"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I stand to support this Motion. It is a very, very important Motion because a nation depends for development on the education of its citizens. I would like first to congratulate His Excellency the President and the Government for making free primary education which has now opened the doors for elementary education. It is now possible, all over the country except for marginalised and arid areas where enrolment is still wanting for people to enjoy fruits of free primary education. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, most of those graduates from Standard 8 cannot access secondary education because of the high fees. Whenever we go to our constituencies parents tell us that they are paying very high fees. You will find a student in first term being asked to pay up to Kshs20,000 or Kshs30,000 in some schools and yet parents cannot afford this fees. While we are gaining at the primary school level, we are losing at the secondary school level because quite a number of students who qualify to go to secondary school fall out and yet it is very essential that they complete secondary education. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is, therefore, meant to complete the whole programme from primary school to secondary school. If we make the whole programme free, we will have more literate citizens who will contribute significantly to Vision 2030. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we also need to add the issue of skills. Many form four leavers do not get jobs because they lack skills. I know this because I am the Minister in charge of youth affairs. Youths can read and write after going through primary school, but they lack the necessary skills. Therefore, it is high time we also concentrated on vocational training. We are doing well with our colleges and universities, but many youths still cannot get jobs because they lack the necessary skill. That is why the revamping of youth polytechnics is becoming very handy. I will urge hon. Members to invest in youth polytechnics because we are ready to equip and staff them with qualified teachers. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, those who are able to go to universities and colleges after secondary school can do so. However, those students who cannot join universities and colleges, can join vocational training which would be available. They would acquire skills that will May 9, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 1189 enable them to get jobs."
}