I am an old man now, and I have seen many seasons come and go in my village. Sit closer to the fire and listen to me, for what I speak is not a tale of birds and animals, but a story of our own lives.
When I was young, before free primary education came, school was not a joke. If a child did not understand their lessons, that child repeated the class. Some repeated once, some twice, and others even three times. Our parents did not complain. They said, “Let the child learn properly before moving forward.”
In those days, parents loved wisdom more than speed. They knew that pushing a child to the next class without knowledge was like sending a child to herd cattle without a stick. They wanted us to move forward because we were ready, not because time had passed.
Later, free education came. It was a good thing, because every child could now go to school. But slowly, a problem entered our schools. Children who did not understand anything were still moved to the next class. Teachers were told to promote everyone. Step by step, many children were carried forward with empty heads.
By the time I saw these children finish primary school, many could not read well, write well, or do simple counting. Yet they were taken to high school. In high school, I watched them struggle. Many wasted their four years because their foundation from primary school was weak. It was like trying to build a house on loose soil.
As I watched all this, a question grew in my heart. I asked myself, “Why are we surprised when we do the same thing in leadership?”
During elections, I see us promote leaders the same way we promote weak students. A leader who did nothing as an MCA is lifted to become an MP. An MP who failed the people is lifted again to become governor, senator, or women representative. We keep moving leaders forward even when they have shown no good work.
Age has made me learn this truth: a calabash with a hole cannot hold milk. A child without knowledge cannot stand firm in life. A leader who failed yesterday will fail again tomorrow.
That is why I speak today. I ask you, my people: why do we promote children who have not learned? And why do we promote leaders who have not served? I have finished my story. The rest is for you to think about as the fire slowly dies.
When I was young, before free primary education came, school was not a joke. If a child did not understand their lessons, that child repeated the class. Some repeated once, some twice, and others even three times. Our parents did not complain. They said, “Let the child learn properly before moving forward.”
In those days, parents loved wisdom more than speed. They knew that pushing a child to the next class without knowledge was like sending a child to herd cattle without a stick. They wanted us to move forward because we were ready, not because time had passed.
Later, free education came. It was a good thing, because every child could now go to school. But slowly, a problem entered our schools. Children who did not understand anything were still moved to the next class. Teachers were told to promote everyone. Step by step, many children were carried forward with empty heads.
By the time I saw these children finish primary school, many could not read well, write well, or do simple counting. Yet they were taken to high school. In high school, I watched them struggle. Many wasted their four years because their foundation from primary school was weak. It was like trying to build a house on loose soil.
As I watched all this, a question grew in my heart. I asked myself, “Why are we surprised when we do the same thing in leadership?”
During elections, I see us promote leaders the same way we promote weak students. A leader who did nothing as an MCA is lifted to become an MP. An MP who failed the people is lifted again to become governor, senator, or women representative. We keep moving leaders forward even when they have shown no good work.
Age has made me learn this truth: a calabash with a hole cannot hold milk. A child without knowledge cannot stand firm in life. A leader who failed yesterday will fail again tomorrow.
That is why I speak today. I ask you, my people: why do we promote children who have not learned? And why do we promote leaders who have not served? I have finished my story. The rest is for you to think about as the fire slowly dies.
