I was on the verge of losing out on education, having been born and raised in a very humble background. My mother was a casual laborer who worked in people's farms to provide for us. Her income could only ensure that we didn’t go hungry. Education was a luxury we couldn’t afford. I painfully saw my siblings struggle through school and at some point giving up and dropping out. I am a product of empathy, a collective effort between my community and teachers, who constantly made sure that I didn't give up with my schooling. One teacher used to give me his share of food from the staffroom so that i didn't go hungry. Any time I was sent home for money for anything, I would find my mother tilling land, very weak because we had not eaten the previous night, then I would cry a river for coming back home to cause her more pain. If I hadn’t been offered a scholarship by the Equity Group Foundation and Higher Education Loans Board, my schooling would have ended abruptly and I would have never fulfilled my dream of becoming a teacher. I wouldn’t have the basic skills to write this petition which you are reading today. Being able to complete my education changed my life for the better. I want this for every Kenyan youth.

Friends, eight years ago, the government of Kenya introduced the Competency Based Curriculum, a very beautiful curriculum that emphasises on skills acquisition for learners. However, the implementation of this curriculum has, over the years, been faced by hitches in terms of resources for teachers and learners in order to acquire the best from this model. 

At the core of any education system is promoting equality, equity and providing quality Education. The teacher-pupil ratio in most schools is 1:56. Schools have few classrooms and facilities like laboratories and libraries to make the learning environment conducive.

The financial burden on the parents is also heavy. Many parents and guardians are struggling to make ends meet hence failing to meet the expectations of this otherwise  beautiful education system. Not all Kenyan homes have electricity, smartphones or printers to facilitate some CBC assignments. It pains me, especially when I remember how I used to go home with assignments and go back to school without finishing because we had no paraffin, which was our main source of light. I am thankful to my teachers in primary school for always understanding my situation and not punishing me for mistakes that were not mine, I had no control over my mother's lack.

As a teacher, how would you feel if a student tells you, 'Teacher hata pesa ya food hatuna, ya kuprint ndio tutapata?' A This is what teachers are experiencing in schools. What if the resources were readily available in school? We wouldn't probably be constantly reminding our children of their poverty levels(some, very extreme). Their brains would be inclined towards play and school. They would find school a safe spaces from all the struggles of poverty at home.

We all have a responsibility to make education equal and accessible for every Kenyan child. Let's save our children!

Friends, kindly sign this petition to ask the government to do the following:

1. Provide enough digital devices to facilitate CBC activities and assignments that require an online engagement.
2. Hire enough teachers in Junior Secondary Schools to cater for the needs of the hundreds of children  admitted to the Kenyan schools.
3. Construct adequate classes to avoid overcrowding. 
4. Adequately train teachers especially on the technical subjects so that they can deliver content with accuracy and confidence. We can do this!