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Last Updated: 17/07/2010
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The proposed constitution will prepare the country to leap into unrivalled development anchored in shared prosperity and social justice, President Mwai Kibaki has affirmed.
President Kibaki noted that the draft law offered not only hope but also an exceptional moment to implement comprehensive reforms that would
prepare the country and its citizens for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The President, who made the remarks today during celebrations to mark the 51st Starehe Boys Centre Founders’ Day, said that the new constitution was about protecting future generations particularly the youth.
The President acknowledged, “Today we stand at the dawn of a new constitutional dispensation. The new proposed constitution is about the future prospects for young people like you. This is why I fully support
the proposed constitution.”
Noting that the country was firmly on the path of major reforms that will permanently change the management of the country’s affairs, President Kibaki expressed confidence that Kenyans would overwhelmingly vote for the
proposed constitution on August 4th.
On educational matters, President Kibaki appealed to the private sector to partner with the Government in financing the education sector, noting that massive resources were required to effectively tackle the increasing
demand for educational opportunities.
During the occasion, the Head of State also commended development partners and other stakeholders for their steadfast support to Government efforts in provision of quality education to all Kenyans.
The President observed, “The Free Primary Education and Free Tuition Secondary Education programmes demand wider resource mobilization by all stakeholders including communities, central and local government, civil
society, private sector and development partners.”
President Kibaki revealed that Kenya spent the highest percentage of its budget on the education sector in the African Continent with an allocation equivalent to 30 per cent of the national budget.
The Head of State confirmed that the Government would continue investing
heavily in education so as to support disadvantaged and poor students as well as to expand school infrastructure and to provide learning materials.
“The Government provides this support through the Free Primary Education and Free Tuition Secondary Education programmes; the provision of bursaries to bright but needy students and targeted bursaries to students
in arid and semi arid areas,” said the President.
President Kibaki, who is the patron of Starehe Boys Centre, commended the school for strongly upholding the tradition of freely supporting many needy students while also consenting to highly subsidizing fees for
others.
The President said the government, under the Economic Stimulus Programme, was establishing centres of excellence in all constituencies in the country.
The Head of State encouraged schools benefiting from the programme to emulate Starehe Boys Centre, which had maintained its prowess in academic standards, in order to develop Centres that truly stand out.
Said the President, “I note with satisfaction that Starehe Boys Centre and School has made tremendous strides in supporting needy students. This school continues to offer free education to at least 70 per cent of its students while the rest pay fees at subsidized rates. This is highly commendable.”
The Head of State noted that the beginning and tremendous growth of the learning institution was a living testimony of how hard work and selflessness can truly transform the lives of individual citizens as well
as the society.
“Fifty one years ago the late Geoffrey William Griffin, the late Geofrey Geturo and Joseph Gikubu who is currently serving as Founder Director, set out on an extraordinary journey. These three gentlemen came together to
address the plight of many helpless children who had been rendered destitute by the 1952 Mau Mau uprising,” the Head of State remarked.
Challenging Kenyans to emulate the spirit of the founders of Starehe Boys Centre, President Kibaki stated that the school had evolved into a leading institution from its humble beginning of providing shelter and basic education to destitute children following the Mau Mau liberation struggle.
He particularly cited the excellent performance in the previous Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations where over 85 per
cent of the candidates gained admission in the public universities while eleven students earned scholarships to pursue higher education in world
renowned universities.
The President said, “There is no doubt that Starehe Boys centre and School continues to be a centre of excellence and serves as a role model to many institutions of learning. I am particularly encouraged that out of the
216 boys who sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination, 190 will gain admission to public universities.”
The Head of State further urged all partners and supporters of the premier learning institution not to relent and termed their spirit an everlasting contribution to national development.
The President said, “I wish to once again register my appreciation to all those who have supported Starehe Boys Centre in various ways. I urge you all to continue with the same spirit. Your contribution continues to
transform the lives of many young people and is an enduring contribution to the development of our country.”
President Kibaki laid a wreath on the tomb of the late founder Geoffrey Griffin and unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the 51st anniversary of the Founders’ Day.
In his address, Education Minister Prof Sam Ongeri said the government has put in place adequate policies to ensure children from marginalized areas access quality education alongside other regions.
To this end, the Minister noted that a Nomadic Education Policy designed and recently rolled out by the government will cater for the special needs of children from pastoral communities.
With regard to Information Communication Technology (ICT), Prof. Ongeri said integration of the programme in schools would ensure introduction of a digitalized curriculum to aid teaching in the country.
Others who addressed the gathering included the Starehe Boys’ Centre, School and Institute’s Management Board Chairman Mr. Jimmy Mugerwa and the Director Mr. Matthew Kithyaka.
In attendance were Housing Assistant Minister and local Member of Parliament Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura, the Chairman, Board of Trustees Mr.
Nick Mugwandia and Founder Director Joseph Gikubu among other invited
guests.
PPS
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Contacts
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Office of Public Communications
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P.O.Box 45617-00100
Nairobi
Tel: +254-020-2240488
+254-020-2223521
Fax: +254-020-2240600
E-mail: comms@comms.go.ke
SMS (Zain/Safaricom): 2888
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