Education Stakeholders in Makueni County have been challenged to embrace teamwork in a bid to improve education standards in the area. Eastern Regional Director of Education (RDE), Mr. Fredrick Kiiru, underscored the need for the local education department to work closely with teachers and their trade unions, as well as parents, in a bid to avoid unnecessary conflicts that can negatively impact education. ‘Keep embracing the spirit of working together. Organise education days where the relevant stakeholders and leaders can converge and exchange ideas with a view to boosting education standards in the area,’ he said. Kiiru was speaking in a Wote town hotel Monday during a farewell party for the outgoing County Director of Education (CDE), Mr. James Gachungi, who has been transferred to Mombasa County in the same capacity. ‘Our lives are not about the number of cars or houses you have bought, but about the number of children’s lives you have positively impacted,’ he noted. Further, the RDE reminded the stakeholders present that their cardinal role was to prepare the next generation to be good citizens, saying that teamwork was not negotiable since it encompasses the sharing of views and getting solutions to emerging education problems. While welcoming the incoming CDE, Mr. Charles Nyakundi, the RDE described Gachungi as a humble servant of the people and a man of transformative leadership, who was duly dedicated to his work. He lauded the outgoing director for ensuring that education standards improved during his four-year tenure in Makueni, while urging him to do even better in his new station. At the same time, Kiiru challenged some of the education officers, school principals, and head teachers present to always uphold professionalism and follow the laid-down regulations while executing their mandate to avoid unnecessary conflicts. ‘Be a person of decorum and adhere to the law, as it will help you deliver efficient services to the citizens,’ he said. Speaking in the same function, the county KUPPET Executive Secretary, Mr. Justus Kimeu, lauded Gachungi for offering quality leadership and allowing wide consultations with stakeholders to ensure contentious issues were solved amicably. Others present at the occasion included the county Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Director Ms. Grace Mwangi, Makueni Sub County Director of Education Mr. Onduso Magara, local KNUT Executive Secretary Mr. Benson Ndambuki, area Chairperson for the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Mr. Julius Mutui, and his Kenya Primary Schools Teachers Association (KEPSHA) counterpart Mr. Pascal Mutunga, among others.

Source: Kenya News Agency