Politicians told to keep off schools

Politicians told to keep off schools Written By:KNA,    Posted: Sun, Jul 01, 2012

Kimemia said aspiring leaders must focus on development instead of taking their campaigns to schools Acting Head of Public Service Francis Kimemia says politicians will not be allowed to take their campaigns to institutions of learning saying the trend has polarized education in the country. With the general election less than a year away, politicians have been traversing the country to drum up support for their bids, visiting schools in the guise of fundraising but instead using the platform to campaign. Speaking in Nyandarua County, Kimemia said aspiring leaders must focus on development instead of taking their campaigns to schools saying it only acts to cause conflict of interests between students and politicians. Instead, he said such meetings should be used to encourage learners and education stakeholder on how to improve on their performances and also look into ways of improving on infrastructures. He said education needs to be given the first priority in development and emphasized the need to put up more  higher institutions of learning in order to create more opportunities for those leaving schools and also create job opportunities. Kimemia urged Kenyans to elect dedicated and visionary leaders in the forthcoming general elections to ensure continuity in growth. His sentiments were echoed by Ol-Kalou Member of Parliament Erastus Mureithi who decried the region's poor performance in education and called on professionals to look into ways of reversing the trend. Mureithi said the residents must remain peaceful as the country heads to elections and to avoid a recurrence of the post election violence that rocked the country after the contentious 2007 elections. Education Permanent Secretary Prof. George Godia  observed the need to bring up a wholesome child. He said education alone should not be used to determine the success of learners saying there was need to ensure a total development of children who are able to excel in talents, music and other co-curricular activities.