Three days after being sworn in as Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has hit the road running promising to deliver the constitutional right of quality education for every Kenyan child.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday after holding an inter-ministerial consultative meeting to deliberate on the education sector at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Prof Magoha vowed that under the ‘one government philosophy’, his ministry will deliver because they have the right direction as to where they are going.
“There is no such thing as a private Kenyan child or a public one and from my perspective, every child in this country has exactly equal rights. Whether you are born into wealth or humble background, we shall ensure, under my superintendence, that every child gets what is constitutionally right for them without fear or favor,” said Prof Magoha.
With a Starehe Boys Centre badge enjoying price of place on his coat, which the former University of Nairobi vice-chancellor said gave him confidence to voice his opinions, the new Education CS assured the public of fighting for education for the less privileged child and protecting those that are privileged.
“At this age in my life and the opportunity given by His Excellency the President, what I really want and expect is to deliver to the Kenyan child who is from a poor background like myself,” he added.
Prof Magoha further noted that the government is able and willing to facilitate public schools with resources and infrastructure.
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“I will ensure equitable distribution of whatever wealth the government has in infrastructure and in regard to ensuring 100 percent transition (to secondary schools) is actualised and get value for the money given,” he said.
After working together with his Interior counterpart Dr Fred Matiang’i in 2016 to clean the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) that was marred with corruption and falsified national examination results for years, Prof Magoha guaranteed to use the same standards and ethics so as to deliver as mandated by the President.
In addressing challenges facing the education sector, the distinguished scholar welcomed the method of discussion “like people who went to school and people who can think.”
He further demanded for impressive performance from civil servants attached to the Ministry of Education.
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“We are not going to shy away from giving our children their constitutional rights. The challenges that we shall get we shall address them as we are progressing. As promised earlier, I am here to address government policy which I am now part of,” he added.
He echoed his stand on not engaging in active partisan politics citing having no time for such.
“I respect them (politicians) most sincerely and we can have a cup of tea with them but I am going to have targets and timelines. So let no politician waste their time coming to me saying this one and this one…” said the Education Cabinet Secretary.
Prof Magoha expressed his gratitude for the immense support he got from Kenyans through various mediums, including social media platforms stating it had instilled fearlessness which will drive him to deliver for the Kenyan child.
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