The idea of free secondary education is a mirage; forget it

By Caleb Mutua

The Kibaki government should be recommended for its efforts to provide Kenyans with the necessary infrastructure for change. It seems to understand that a country where changes do not occur cannot survive in any environment because the environment keeps changing.

The ongoing road constructions in major highways that are set to ease our notorious traffic and provide reliable transport system are good for change.

The promulgation of the new constitution in 27th August, 2010 restored Kenyans hopes of a better Kenya and was good for change.

When it comes to internet access, the government has ensured that we are not left behind. Installation of fibre-optic cables is in its final stages and this is good for change and we are happy.

However, trying to actualize roadside declarations that are not well thought of under the pretence of change is suicidal to any political system.

Free primary education is a case in point. Looking at the poor state of our public primary schools, I have all the reasons to believe that this was a wrong idea and was probably used to lure voters during the 2002 elections. Thinking of free secondary education is madness.

Could it be that the corrupt education officers who squandered money meant for free primary education are back with plan B?

Until public schools have fully adopted the free primary education; until the sorry conditions in these classrooms have improved; until the Ministry for Education has derived feasible plans to track down all resources allocated to primary education, let’s not mention free secondary education anywhere.

First published in October 2011.