HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 426198,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/426198/?format=api",
"text_counter": 146,
"type": "other",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "who were illiterate had to look for somebody to either write or read a letter for them. Today with the current technology, most people have mobile phones. But somebody who is illiterate cannot even know who is calling. It is even difficult to imagine how such people actually exist in the current world. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I had occasion to deal with people in the rural areas, especially when I was a Member of Parliament, whose land had been grabbled by others. In most occasions, the person is told to give their identity cards, write their names and sign. Actually, they give their land for free and by the time they approach the Member of Parliament or some other authority for help, the situation will be totally helpless. I have had instances where such matters actually end up in court and people lose because it is proved that they signed and gave out their identity card numbers. This Motion, therefore, is very important because it will solve some of these issues. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, when some of us were young, adult education used to be there but it seems like there is a total breakdown now. There is no adult education where I come from. That is, perhaps, the reason people like the late Maruge did not know what to do. He wanted to know how to read and write, but there was no class for people of his age. So, he ended up with toddlers in Standard One and Standard Two, which as one speaker said, is actually disruptive to the rest of the kids. So, we need to go back to the adult education that we knew before. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I found it very strange when the Mover was talking about the adult education board, which he described in detail. It is surprising that such an institution exists yet on the ground there is no adult education at all. I know that we have people who finish Form Four and go on to get diplomas and so on, but perhaps, everybody in Kenya should be able to do simple reading and writing. If you cannot do those two things, I think that you will be lost. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is an opportune moment to also mention one or two things about the trend that higher education is taking. It looks like we are converting every polytechnic, teacher training college and public institution, including the former colleges of science and technology, which were based in districts by then, into universities. As a result, I think, there is a very dangerous gap which is being left in our country and we might end up with a whole generation with no opportunity to do middle level courses. So, we are going to bombard every employer with a degree. I am sorry to say but some of them are totally irrelevant to what the person wants or what the employer wants. If we compare ourselves with industrialized countries, we shall find a gap which we have created. We used to have polytechnics like Nairobi Polytechnic but we are busy undoing the gains. Some of us who are in the engineering profession, it is now easier to get an engineer to employ than a diploma holder or a technician because there is none. Colleges are now not producing them. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to strongly support this Motion so that the Government can come up with a clear policy so that those who cannot read and write can 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."
}