- Ogutu called on teachers to draw on their professional experience to inspire learners to embrace science subjects
Former Bomachoge Borabu Member of Parliament Prof. Zaddock Ogutu has raised concern over the declining number of students enrolling for science-related courses in Kenyan universities, attributing the trend to negative attitudes towards science subjects and a shortage of well-equipped laboratories in schools.
Speaking during a public gathering in Bomachoge Borabu Constituency, Prof. Ogutu, an environmental science specialist, called on teachers to draw on their professional experience to inspire learners to embrace science subjects, noting that modern life is increasingly shaped by science and technology and that such subjects would have a direct bearing on students’ future career paths.
The former legislator also urged residents to embrace peace, love and unity, warning that meaningful development, including in the education sector, would remain out of reach without them. He outlined three ways in which disunity undermines education in a community.
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According to Prof. Ogutu, disunity first disrupts learning, as conflicts among parents, leaders and school communities often lead to school closures, strikes and insecurity, interrupting teaching and causing learners to lose valuable time. Secondly, he said, disunity weakens resource mobilisation, making it difficult for divided communities to jointly fund school projects such as laboratories, classrooms and bursaries, leaving institutions under-resourced.
Ogutu noted that disunity discourages learners altogether, as a divided community fosters a poor learning environment that leaves students demotivated, performing poorly and increasingly likely to lose interest in learning.
Reflecting on his tenure as MP, Prof. Ogutu said he prioritised education throughout his time in office and has no regrets about the bold decisions he made to support education development in Bomachoge Borabu Constituency.
By Enock Okong’o
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