President Uhuru Kenyatta Monday promised Kenyans that the government will provide completely free secondary school education in the next three years.
Towards this goal, said the head of state, the government will sharply increase the funds available for education in the next financial year.
“Within three years, this country will offer truly free secondary education to every young Kenyan of age”, he said from Kisii High school where he was the Guest of honour as the institution celebrated its 80th anniversary.
He said no child should be out of school over fees irrespective of social status.
Currently Kenyan children enjoy Free Primary Education while students in boarding secondary schools are highly subsidized. Secondary school education in public day schools is essentially free.
The president said the success of the new initiative for truly free secondary school education will highly depend on the partnership between the national government and the respective county governments.
The president advised students across the country to especially familiarize themselves with the new means of information, communication and technology.
He said Kisii High school should benefit from the fibre optic network that will soon be passing through Kisii town and the school should have a loop of the inter-communication facility.
He asked the school administration to liaise with Cabinet Secretary Fred Matinagi, an alumnus of the school to address ICT challenges at the school.
Matiangi is the CS for Information Communication and Technology.
He also promised the school that the Chinese government will soon spend Sh50 million at the school to construct a resource centre and an assembly hall.
On request by local leaders to have a Central Bank branch in Kisii, the President acknowledged the huge financial transactions done in Kisii adding that their request will be considered.
He also announced that a terminal will also be constructed at Suneka airstrip where he landed in the morning and left for Nairobi later in the evening.
The head of state paid special tribute to the alumni of Kisii High school, some of who hold key position in government while others had served previous governments including former Cabinet minister and Secretary to the Cabinet Simeon Nyachae.
Other key alumnus of the school include Kisii, Nyamira , Kakamega and Siaya governors James Ongwae, John Nyangarama , Wyliffe Oparanya and Cornel Rasanga among others.
Non politician alumnus of the school include Vice chancelllors Prof. Ratemo Michieka, Prof. Fredrick Ochieng and Prof. Douglas Odhiambo among others.
Many Current and former members of parliament have also passed through the school.
Source-nation.co.ke
Uhuru Promises Completely Free Secondary Education
