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{
    "id": 906543,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/906543/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 81,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Khaniri",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 171,
        "legal_name": "George Munyasa Khaniri",
        "slug": "george-khaniri"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 47 to make a Statement on an issue of national concern; the planned change of education curriculum. Article 47(1)(f) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 provides that every person has a right to education. Kenya is also a signatory to various international conventions, treaties and sessional papers that promote education. Arguably, education is one of the fundamental and basic services governments offers to their citizens. The Fourth Schedule of the 2010 Constitution provides that the functions of developing education policy, standards, curricula, examinations and the granting of university charters is a national Government function. Thus, the issue of change of education curriculum is in the purview of national Government. However, the sensitivity and importance of education concerns all of us as citizens. Education is the cornerstone of society. Through education, one learns skills necessary for productivity in the society. It is important in poverty reduction as it increases an individual’s jobs prospects. The recent happening in the education sector in our country paints an awful picture. While it might not be possible to enumerate all the issues facing the education sector, we must have a structured national conversation on this curriculum change, lest we regret in the near future. Currently, there is a heated antagonistic debate on the roll out of the new curriculum. This is both unfortunate and sad. As I said in this House last week, we can afford to play with anything else but we cannot play with education of our innocent children. The education system and delivery is so crucial to society that utmost care should be taken in these discussions. There are various stakeholders who are missing out in this discussion. Where are the academic scholars, parents, experts and even students? The legislators have also been kept at the periphery. The debate or the push and pull has been hijacked by the Cabinet Secretary of education and the teachers’ union; Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT). This must be corrected. We should avoid the pitfall we find ourselves in currently on matters education. The recent fiasco on the qualification of students who join the teachers training college in The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}