Mutua wrong on education in Kenya

The Sunday Nation article by Makau Mutua, which he misbranded Confronting Kenya’s education crisis, came off more as rant than an intellectual confrontation.

It is unheeding for one to sit in an American building and profess that Kenyan education is in the toilet. Dismissing the entire generation that went through the 8-4-4 education system and claiming that the competency-based curriculum (CBC) is on fire, without any known contribution to the Kenyan education policy is disingenuous.

We have data since 8-4-4 to the CBC of hundreds of parents transferring their children from the American system to study in Kenya. The American education system lost its value long ago, while many Kenyan graduates have successful careers in America and Europe. Prof Makau’s argument is not based on comparisons on key pillars of an education system such as curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and resources.

We have Kenyan doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, businesspeople and other professionals who are appreciated locally and internationally.

Foreigners

He goes ahead to propose a team of experts comprising foreigners and Kenyans to be appointed to look into Kenya’s education. Who are these scholars/experts he proposes? Where will they come from if all Kenyan education scholars are unworthy? Does he want foreigners or Kenyan foreigners like himself? Makau and his ilk have been tried by political parties to bring solutions on the political front, how far did they go with their expertise?

The article is an excellent demonstration of a lack of partriotism and characteristic bitterness with the Kenyan leadership for a lack of reward for his expertise. Genuine Kenyans are here at home raising issues based on tangible data and observations while also supporting in various ways. Where is he and his ilk?

He dismisses all Kenyans running education today. These are men and women who have ensured 100 per cent access to education for all children. These are the people who have ensured free compulsory basic education. These are the people struggling to ensure equity in terms of resources. These are the people conceptualising and implementing a globally competitive CBC. The CBE/C is the default system in the world today, what are Prof Makau’s options of the curriculum that Kenya should have?

The education system has advanced through various task forces, think tanks and, civil society organisations. Men and women of goodwill have donated their intellectual property by writing papers and making presentations to enrich the national discourse.

I challenge Prof Mutua to share his engagement with the Prof Odhiambo task force, Prof Fatuma Chege task force and most recently Prof Raphael Munavu led presidential working party if this is not a lack of patriotism and sour grapes with the Kenyan leadership for lack of reward.

Ms Ouko is a right to education policy influencer and Executive Director Tunza Mtoto Coalition. @muthoniouko