Ogamba: We will continue with education reforms

The government, through the Ministry of Education, will continue implementing reforms established through the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, chaired by the late Professor Raphael Munavu, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has said.

Ogamba said the reforms are intended to ensure the country has a strong education system that is ready, capable, and competitive at the global level.

“That is what kind of a man he was. He was an excellent educationist. He chaired the Presidential Working Party that dealt with CBC, which is by far the biggest reform in education sector that this country has ever undertaken,” Ogamba said.

He spoke during Munavu’s burial ceremony at Mbilini village in Kangundo, Machakos County, on Friday.

The CS said the deceased’s contribution to the education sector was unparalleled, citing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) taskforce reforms as the most significant in Kenya’s history.

Ogamba said reforms are developed by technical teams to benefit learners and not for partisan interests, adding that if the policies were flawed, they would have negatively affected the country’s 11 million learners.

“Right now, we have 11million learners under the CBC system in our institutions,” Ogamba said.

He said the country had lost one of the most influential, transformative leaders the education sector has ever seen.

Other scholars also paid tribute to the late professor.

Professor Michieka Ratemo of the University of Nairobi described him as a distinguished academician who set a strong precedent in scholarship.

He highlighted Munavu’s deep passion for both science and history, noting that his intellectual curiosity and dedication left an indelible mark on academia and inspired generations of students and researchers.

Kangundo MP Fabian Kyule called on the government to address the plight of school dropouts, a matter Ogamba said is being addressed through the ongoing Second Education Conference in Naivasha.

Ogamba also praised Munavu’s role in shaping Kenya Kwanza government policies through his technical expertise, sentiments echoed by former Machakos Senator and Parliamentary Commissioner Johnston Muthama.

Munavu, who served as board chair at Konza Technopolis Development Authority, was remembered by staff led by CEO John Paul Okwiri as a dedicated leader committed to transformation and environmental conservation.

Family members and with colleagues read messages of condolence and paid tribute to the late scholar.