Ms Kasanga has been at the pinnacle of education advocacy and lobbying for the past eight (8) years. Our Editor, Priscilla Kerebi spent some time with the educator to gain insights into the person and her contributions to the sector.
Who is Mutheu Kasanga?
I am an educationist having been in the sector for the past two decades. My passion for education has afforded me the opportunity to be at the helm of Kenya Private Schools Association and Kenya Private Sector Alliance for the past 5 years. It has been both exciting and challenging but mostly I have learned quite a bit on the policy and management of the sector.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
Knowing that what I do provides opportunities for children to access education and succeed in their pursuit of quality education.
I WOULD IMAGINE AFTER 5 YEARS AS CHAIR OF KPSA YOU HAVE HAD MANY ACHIEVEMENTS. WHICH ONES STAND OUT FOR YOU ?
The roll out of the current competency based curriculum,being the single biggest event in education in Kenya the CBC, where children are engaging with the curriculum from inception into school in a trickle up manner unlike the 8-4-4 curriculum which was introduced at out at exit.
I have experienced growth in the Association which has increased its national footprint to all 47 counties. The Association has also been represented in all government endevours to ensure inclusivity.
The National Executive Committee has been passionate about partnerships and collaborations both locally and in the Global arena. The global collaborations include GESS, who hosted their 1st Leaders in Education Summit in Nairobi, Kenya in partnership with KPSA. In response to the COVID 19 pandemic, the Association was the only private partner included in the Global online learning Alliance, GOLA to strengthen education technology. Similar interventions with Global Peace Foundation a partner who provided a platform during the pandemic to schools to discuss the impact and how to survive the pandemic.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO DEAL WITH THE CHALLENGES THAT CAME ALONG WITH THE CRISIS?
Wow! This was a real shocker to all educationists world over. Never did the education sector imagine a time that learning would stop.. No one knew the trajectory the virus was going to take and by mid - April, 2020, 93% of the world had their basic education stop for more than 9 months. Private schools suffered the biggest brunt, because by end of April, 2020, schools could not sustain their payroll. The Association had to issue an advisory on unpaid leave to cushion the schools and employees, negotiate with banks, government and other suppliers and advise on labour issues. KPSA guided schools to move towards online learning to keep learners engaged and lobbied government to allow schools to offer online learning.
WHAT IS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY FOR PRIVATE EDUCATION PROVIDERS AT THIS MOMENT?
Recovery is the main priority for schools. Seeking interventions from partners especially financial institutions. Cementing gains made especially using education technology as private schools lead uptake of online and distance learning. There are opportunities in CBC especially Junior secondary, this is the time to ask those interested to invest in this space to start now. Private schools can now shift the narrative about excellence by moving to secondary schools to offer specialized training as envisioned in the curriculum. There is continued negotiation with financial institutions to support the expansion of facilities for junior and senior secondary schools. The sector has got only 2 years to prepare for this.
HOW CAN YOU PROPOSE TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGE OF ONLINE LEARNING IN EDUCATION?
A National Distance Learning Strategy to provide a road map on how education technology can embed teaching to bring equity to the sector. The strategy will support learning during disruption and down turn like we are currently experiencing so that the industry doesn’t need to ever shut down again if a crisis of similar magnitude happens again. This would act as a disaster preparedness management
DO YOU FORESEE EDUCATION BEING DIFFERENT AFTER THE PANDEMIC? IF YES, HOW SO?
Unfortunately some areas of the sector will remain the same, like the pandemic never happened. But International schools and some private schools have embraced technology especially with blended learning to keep learning going.
CURRICULUM – HOW IS THE ASSOCIATION SUPPORTING THE GOVERNMENT IN ROLLING OUT OF THE CURRICULUM
KPSA has partnered with publishers to support the roll out of competency based curriculum focusing on milestones achieved annually. The Association also supports government on teacher training especially by staying up to speed with ICT
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I love to read. I enjoy the outdoors, watching wildlife, photography I have quite the collection on this, it’s amazing how you can understand so much about nature through the lens, blogging and farming, especially pig farming. I also love to travel, but in groups, I’m not a solo traveller. I am an amateur salsa dancer and I would love to sing in a band.