KENYA: Ensure Parental Empowerment And Holistic Education Of School Children

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishop, KCCB has called upon Kenya Government, school principals and parents to work hand in hand with the Church in providing quality of education to children, at the opening of the Catholic Schools Principals Conference held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, CUEA, on 14 August 2018 and which the Head of State, His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta officially opened.

Rt. Rev. Philip Anyolo, chairman of the KCCB said that the theme of the Conference, ‘Parental Empowerment for Holistic Education’appropriately responds to the new curriculum in Kenya, which happens to be central in regard to parental responsibility in the education children.

However, Bishop Anyolo, noted that many schools in the country have also witnessed challenges such as violence, sexual immorality, indiscipline, disrespect of authority and students’ laxity in commitment to scholarly work.

Ï earnestly appeal to you who are here, that for the 3 days that you are here, you explore various strategies for building bridges amongst parents and guardians, schools and the Church, in order to salvage the future of our young people,” said Bishop Anyolo.

Chairman of the Commission for Education and Religious Education for the Kenya Episcopal Conference Rt. Rev. Paul Kariuki reiterated the Church’s commitment to education of children for their holistic human development. However, he too raised concern regarding some disruptive issues that are negatively affecting the school systems and the youth, which include lack of measures to inculcate discipline and unguided freedom in the schools; the problem of drug abuse; and lack of faith and moral formation.

“We cannot afford to bring up a youth that is faith free, value-free, discipline free, authority free and respect free,” he said.

“In the same way that you have resolved to fight corruption, we appeal to you, to deal with persons who target children for drugs and alcohol abuse. This is the only way to secure our children’s and our country’s future,” Bishop Kariuki urged President Kenyatta.

President Kenyatta assured the Bishops and all participants at the Conference that his Administration has committed itself to ensuring that every Kenyan child received high quality and holistic education. He took opportunity to announce that he has issued a directive for issuance of title deeds to all education institutions that are built and managed by faith based organizations including the Catholic church.

I am happy to report that my Administration, with the support of Kenyans and institutions such as the Church, has made remarkable strides on all four strides,” he said, alluding to the Government’s commitment to creating conducive learning environment for students and teachers.

Kenya Government has prioritized four key areas of interventions in the education system, namely, the upgrading of learning institutions, the construction and renovation of buildings, the connection of schools to electricity supply and the provision of appropriate school supplies.

Speaking at the event, Education CS Amina Mohamed also acknowledged that the Catholic Church continues to play a big role in Kenya’s education sector, and assured the country that the Government will continue stepping up measures to improve the integrity of national examinations by among other measures, enhancing surveillance and supervision.

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By Amecea Communications