No turning back on education reforms DP Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto has reaffirmed the government’s decision to streamline the education system in the country.

Speaking at Heroes High School in Nakuru on Sunday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a technical institution, Ruto said the government is working with Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to bring changes in the education sector and root out cartels who have led to the reduction in the quality of education.

He attributed recent cases of school unrests to cartels who feel threatened by the reforms saying the government has been meeting with various education stakeholders including leaders, members of the clergy, teachers and students to find a quick solution to the unrest.

“The government is in full support of the education sector and we shall not sit back and watch as candidates get grades that they do not deserve because of exam leakages,” said Ruto.

“Accountability is not negotiable. We cannot dialogue with people who do not have good will in the education sector who continue to misappropriate funds and leak examinations,” said Ruto.

His statement comes at a time when a section of education stakeholders and Opposition coalition CORD have called for the resignation of Matiang’i over recent cases of arson in schools.

Several schools have been forced to close down after cases of unrest was reported.

KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion has accused Matiang’i of forcing reforms without consultations leading to unrests.

He noted that the protests were due to the extension of the second term, calling for the closure of all schools to give the government and education stakeholders time to resolve the outstanding issues.

On Friday, however, Matiang’i said that the government would not close schools over the unrest.