Mudavadi roots for dialogue among education leaders

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi Mudavadi has urged education stakeholders to embrace dialogue in solving challenges facing the sector.

He said whenever misunderstandings between stakeholders arise, they must be willing to dialogue and iron out the issues amicably.

“Everyone of us within the education system must beware that whenever we stagger at any stage as institutions and individuals, we disorganise, disorient, distort and put in jeopardy innocent lives,” the Prime Cabinet Secretary told education stakeholders during the launch of the TSC 2023-27 Strategic Plan at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi, yesterday.

Mudavadi, who was representing President William Ruto, further told them to protect the critical sector as opposed to allowing personal interests to take charge.

“I am addressing myself to Teachers Service Commission (TSC) as I do to teachers and parents associations, students and those whose business is education. I am a strong believer that where there are misunderstandings, the power of reason must prevail,” he said.

In attendance were Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, TSC Chairman Jamleck Muturi and Secretary Nancy Macharia, among other education stakeholders.

“As you guard your personal interest, always know there is an even greater civil interest that you owe society. Surely, disrupting the education of innocence when you could talk through an issue cannot be the reason for your existence. In other words, between education stakeholders, there should never be a moment when we refuse to talk with each other,” Mudavadi said.

He said he is aware of differences of opinion between TSC, teachers and parents on whether there has been effective teacher re-orientation on Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and the number of teachers required. [Jacob Ngetich]

Mudavadi noted difference of opinion from owners of private schools over implementation of CBC.

“Our journey to ensure inclusivity and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, remains the focus of Government. We do this for ourselves, but also as part of internationalising our education outputs under the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4,” he said.

Similarly, Mudavadi said TSC’s issues with the Education Ministry on who should appoint school heads will soon be addressed.

“Pending the report of the task force on CBC, nothing stops us from talking with each other, and feeding the task force with consensus position ideas. I believe that if you choose to criticise, do so while offering an alternative. Do not condemn. Have the candour to offer solutions,” he said.

He underscored the need for strategic plans, saying it is a deliberate organizational process that defines intended actions within a specified period.

Mudavadi promised to engage stakeholders to see to it that Strategic Planning and Performance contracting is anchored under the legal framework.

“Gone are the days when strategic plans were viewed as mere accounting documents. They are now a measure of performance, efficiency and effectiveness that must be taken seriously. The strength of a strategic plan lies in the agility to adjust and respond appropriately to emerging phenomenon, both anticipated and opportunistic,” he said.

He revealed that in the next round of performance contracting review, strategic plans will be key measurement and grading instruments.

“Do not store your strategic plan thinking that its publication is the main goal,” he said.

Mudavadi said education is an important enabler in providing skills required to achieve Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda (BETA) aspirations, saying that the revised TSC vision of nurturing a motivated, ethical and globally competitive teacher should reflect on putting them on the global map.

He urged education stakeholders to align themselves with Beta aspirations and commitment to spur efficiency.

Also critical is whether recruitment of additional teachers has facilitated the 100 per cent transition, reduction of shortage as well as addressed the delocalisation exercise. 

TSC CEO Macharia said the commission needs an additional Sh134.5 billion for implementation of the Strategic Plan.

“This plan will serve as a basis for planning and resource allocation to not only support the education vision under BETA but also the efficient and effective execution of the Commission’s mandate,” she said.