By Hilton Mwabili
President Uhuru Kenyatta has promised to use his capacity to help expand the African Confederation of Principals (ACP).
Addressing the recently concluded 10th ACP conference at Pride Inn Paradise beach resort in Mombasa, the head of state said there is need for the principals to consider increasing and even doubling the numbers of participating countries so that it can widen the platform to continue exchanging ideas.
President Kenyatta alluded that the continent is endowed with “amalgamation of multiple talents and innovative ideas” suggesting further that the quality of education in the region stands a chance of being propelled to greater levels if more countries pull together and share ideas and skills.
“I was discussing with ACP President and her vice and I told them that one of the resolutions you should be considering passing, is to seek the leadership of the African Union and if you do that I will use my position to lobby for inclusion of all Africa nations in this kind of organisation.” President Kenyatta noted.Currently, ACP draws membership from only 10 nations in the continent which include- Kenya, Uganda, Lesotho, South Africa, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Swaziland, Tanzania and Ghana.
The Presidents challenged the over 1,200 delegates to use the organisation to showcase Africa’s progress in education.He said it is imperative for education systems in Africa to be designed to prepare the children enter the labor market with sufficient skills.
“Our continent has for long been squandering talent we cannot afford to lose. And this has to stop it will start with you principals,” President Kenyatta told the delegates in Mombasa.
He reiterated the need for school managers to be take charge of the safety of learners in a bid to minimise accidents and fatalities.While referring to recent accident of St. Gabriel Primary school in Mwingi Kitui County in which 10 pupils perished, President Kenyatta described the incident as regrettable and said institutions must take and pay special attention to set safety rules and regulations of learners while they are in and outside the schools.
He said such accidents can be avoided if school managers and all Kenyans of good will exercise caution and abide by set regulations.
