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{
    "id": 425929,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/425929/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 233,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "March 26, 2014 SENATE DEBATES 26 Sen. (Prof.) Lesan",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to also support this Motion. First, I want to congratulate my Chairperson, Sen. Karaba, who is the Mover of this Motion for his election as the Chairman of the Committee on Education. I wish to support this Motion on the strength that this Motion recognizes three important things which I will briefly mention. The first recognition which this Motion brings forward is the recognition that there are still illiterate Kenyans 50 years after Independence. There is also a further recognition that those illiterate Kenyans desire to become literate. This Motion recognizes that situation. This Motion also recognizes the fact that there are facilities which are available to further education in this country. In fact, as we continue to speak, there are thousands of classrooms that are empty from 5.00 p.m. every day. They are also empty on Saturdays and Sundays. These are already infrastructural facilities that can be used for education. This Motion recognizes the fact these facilities can be used to give education to those illiterate individuals. There is also a further recognition in this Motion; that this country nowadays is littered with several FM stations. These are outlets of communication which can be used to further education more specifically to those who are illiterate. There is also recognition that there is a new Government system which involves devolution. Devolution takes some of these facilities closer to the people and more particularly to the people who are literate. This is of course an opportunity that is recognized by this Motion. The Motion also recognizes the positive role which a literate population can play in a country. First of all, this country has experienced very serious challenges when it comes to elections. When you look at those challenges very closely, some of them, are directly or indirectly associated with illiteracy. Therefore, there is recognition that we need to educate these individuals so as to alleviate some of the challenges that we have in terms of issues like universal suffrage in elections. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we are aware of the ease with which governance can be monitored or administered in a country if the population is literate. This Motion recognizes that and urges that we give the illiterate a chance to become literate. We are constantly aware all the time that if we have an educated population, they are versatile in doing a lot of things like running businesses and being more economically productive. Therefore, for us to grow an economy that is well-founded, it is important that we get as many Kenyans as possible to become literate to a level where they can raise their own standards of living and raise the economy of the country. So, this Motion has this very good spirit and it recognizes a position in which we can find a way to give people some education. The recommendation is that we develop a roadmap which comes up as a result of development of a good policy in which we can use to develop ways and means in which we can give an education to the illiterate. That is why this Motion is a good one because it is going to give a roadmap. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}