African Divine Church (ADC) Arch Bishop John Chabuga has opposed the move by Education cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i to ban prayers for both KCPE and KCSE candidates.
Speaking at Aligula secondary school in Likuyani sub county Chabuga appealed to the CS to quash the ban saying, government interference with school calendar could scare sponsors and thus affect learning and other activities.
He said sponsors were concerned about the controversial stand adding that abolishing prayers will not help end rampant cheating in national examinations.
“We call upon the cabinet secretary to address real issues such by targeting culprits behind examinations cheating saga instead of taking sweeping decisions which might only worsen the situation,” argued the arch bishop.
According to him, Matiang’i must act on recommendations contained in a report over devil worshiping in schools and find ways of nailing the problem instead of focusing on issues such as prayer days in schools.
“A task force was commissioned to look into devil worship issue in our schools, it is important that we find a quick solution to that and encourage students to be prayerful.” He said.
He challenged the government to increase allocation released to rural schools for infrastructural development and other requirements to enhance access to education.
Chabuga who promised African divine Church’s sponsorship to Aligula secondary school, said the church was committed to improving education standards and was currently sponsoring 90 schools in the country.
“We would like to have increased enrollment in rural schools by expanding existing schools and opening up new ones since every Kenyan child is entitled to quality education as stipulated in the constitution,” said the clergy.
However, bishop Chabuga praised the aggressiveness and determination Matiang’i has exhibited in executing his duties.
“So far, the CS has done a commendable job in education sector but we expect him to be considerate in certain areas,” explained Chabuga.
The cleric took issue with politicians accusing them of engaging in smear campaigns of each other and independent constitution bodies.
“If the problem is with an individual at the IEBC, let that person be dealt with instead of demonizing the entire institution,” he said.
He noted that IEBC has no option but play an impartial role during the 2017 general elections. “And losers must be ready to embrace winners and hold the country together.”
Likuyani MP Dr. Enoch Kibunguchy thanked the ADC church for what it was doing in his constituency.
He said that the church was currently sponsoring a number of schools in the area where it has helped in improving infrastructures such as Dr. Banda, Chepkaka, Mandila and Kosoki primary schools and now Aligula secondary adding that they were also working in
partnership with his office to put up a youth polytechnic at Mtoni among other development projects.
