Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called for education reforms that focuses on talent-based learning which allows students with clear sports potential to focus on developing their skills earlier in life.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with sportsmen and women from Embu, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi counties at his home in Irunduni, Kindiki challenged the logic of keeping gifted athletes in classrooms for years studying subjects that may not align with their career paths.
“Why waste three years in high school for someone whose talent is already evident?” he asked. “You’re teaching them mathematics, history, and Vasco da Gama, how does Vasco da Gama help a footballer?”
Kindiki argued that the current system delays the growth of young athletes by overemphasising academic content that may not serve their professional aspirations. He stressed that sports careers often begin early and end early, making timely nurturing of talent critical.
“These children are footballers. They need to be refined, supported, and allowed to grow into their careers early enough,” he said. “Let’s not waste their youth. Sports has an earlier retirement age compared to other professions.”
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The Deputy President noted that early preparation would enable talented students to begin earning a livelihood sooner, helping them maximise their potential during their prime years. “They start earning early, they use their talent early, and they retire early. That’s the reality of sports,” he added.
kindiki welcomed the shift in the education curriculum, which now places greater emphasis on identifying and nurturing talent from a young age. According to Kindiki, the traditional focus on academics alone has sidelined many students who excel in sports and creative fields.
“We’ve spent decades condemning those who don’t perform well in academics, yet they shine in other areas like sports and the arts,” he said. “It’s time we recognised that excellence comes in many forms.”
By Masaki Enock
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