Partners in Quality Education for All
CES Canada/Kenya 15th Anniversary
Principals Honour Awards - Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
MMUST August 23, 2018 - Address by Mr Frederick Kiiru, CDE - Kakamega County
It gives me great pleasure to join you today during this important event as CES Canada marks its 15th year of existence. Indeed I feel greatly honoured to be associated with this organization that has become a pacesetter as pertains to its support for globally competitive quality education.
Let me appreciate and recognize the vision of the founders of Community Education Services over 15 years ago. This was a vision for a bright and better future for our children through access to quality education. This is a highly commendable initiative with a long lasting legacy.
Mr. Chairman, over your 15 years of existence, I note that you have managed to provide scholarships to over 2500 secondary school students in Kakamega County. This has enabled over half of these students to proceed to secondary schools, universities and middle colleges to acquire knowledge and relevant professional training. This is a no mean achievement.
The Government of Kenya is fully committed towards the realization of a globally competitive Quality Education for All. This is anchored on the country’s long term development strategy which seeks to transform Kenya into a newly industrialized upper middle income country providing a quality of life to all its citizens by 2030.
For this noble goal to be achieved, quality education for all is considered a major building block. This includes the marginalized and disadvantaged children of whom your focus is all about. The percentage of vulnerable children is very high in the country and they require this assistance. These include:
those from poor households
orphans
street children
school dropouts
victims of early marriage
victims of child labour
The Basic Education Act 2013 envisages that all Kenyan children must have access to free and compulsory Basic Education which is a key social pillar towards achieving Vision 2030. The need to produce competent human resources capable of spurring economic growth is also an issue of great priority. Partnerships of this nature with like minded institution like CES Canada and CES Kenya are very much encouraged and appreciated.
Mr. Chairman, one of the greatest challenges affecting transition from secondary to tertiary level education is the high cost of education. This has locked out many talented, intelligent and gifted Kenyan children from accessing university and other tertiary level education. The Government has undertaken various interventions such as:
tertiary and university levels
subsidizing education at the secondary level
provision of education loans through HELB
financial assistance through CDF and County Government agencies
The demand for quality education is very high and therefore assistance from partners, donors and friends is of utmost importance.
Mr Chairman, I do recognize your concern for the progressive development in school infrastructure under Project PREPARE. Indeed strengthening of school infrastructure is closely related with improved standards of education and enhanced performance. Many of our schools in this County lack sufficient physical facilities and this has a negative impact of provision of quality education. I do encourage CES to continue making interventions in this area with a view to improving existing infrastructure in our schools.
Mr Chairman, I note with great satisfaction your concern for the disadvantaged and marginalized in our society through your various program initiatives including:
poverty reduction measures
healthy living initiatives
HIV/Aids Education
school meal programs
basic medical services
school uniforms
learning materials such as textbooks
ICT Education
From the foregoing, it is clear that CES has lived to its objectives of intervening towards the improvement of education standards in the county; and more so a solid partner of the Ministry of Education and Government in ensuring quality education for all.
In your 15th year of operation, I wish to sincerely congratulate you, CES Canada President, Directors, Principals and implementing agencies. I urge you to upscale your activities so that more schools and students benefit from your spectacular educational interventions.
Thank you and God Bless You!
MMUST August 23, 2018
