who is this Government? Is it an abstract entity that 'can provide free education"..
That's a tough one. What is the Government in any country? The abstract entity that people pay taxes to and expect services in return? Or it could be the other entity that people think of at elections. In Kenya, it could be the people who said we will
kula nyama while you others salivate. I don't know. But I have heard of a Government of Kenya; and I have heard talk of free education from said government; and I know that "donors" have given said government money for free education, which money then got eaten; and .... But enough of these abstract entities.
So mine is a call to these "poor" parents to stop sitting on their behinds waiting for ministry of education to provide desks but to innovate a way of making desks using locally available material. with 3K I can make these kids desks and by mobilizing the community.
What if some of those "poor" parents really are poor? What if even your 3K is tough for them? Here's a thought for you and your chance to win the award for
Kenyan 21st Century Hero: instead of these unfruitful exchanges on nipate,org, go out there and "with 3K ... make these kids desks and by mobilizing the community". And while at it, tell them to get off their behinds ... I was going to write "fat behinds", but given the urgent appeals elsewhere to "donors", ...
So your pipe dream of free education with nice facilities it is that a dream that our Katiba envisions for the future but we must deal with our present problems here and now.
My "pipe dream" is that they should have certain basics before tablets and laptops and electricity. I don't know about you, but I think a place to sit, a desk, clean water, a toilet, etc.---"present problems here and now"---are more important but actually less "nice" than the fancy gadgets. Instead of just jumping up and down randomly and jerking off over the tablets/laptops and here comes Konza, take some time to really reflect on what that photo says.
My point about the Katiba was actually simpler than you seem to appreciate. That point is this: A government has certain obligations to its citizens, and the fact that the citizens might be taking up the slack where the government is failing does not change that. And in this particular case of Kenya, it is a joke to have a government that is obsessed with gadgets and whatever while the basics are not covered ... supposedly because there is no money. And not just money blown on misplaced priorities: billions are getting eaten, 24/7, all over the place! Talk about sheer, mindless stupidity .... just as well have "donors" and "development partners".
Random thought: do you know that in Kenya right now adequate nutrition, clean water, and a place to poop are what would make the biggest difference in learning at the lower ages? Well before one gets to laptops and tablets and digital curriculum and all are set for Konza City and MPESA World?