STOP MISINTERPRETING THINGS; KENYA PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION TELLS KENYANS

The Kenya Publishers Association has today defended itself against the ongoing public condemnation for illustrations in some newly published textbooks that were deemed as inappropriate by majority of the people.

During a press briefing in Nairobi, Mr Njagi in particular defended an illustration for Grade Two textbook that portrays an extravagant MP’s visit to a school.

 

The caption below the illustration reads: “Teachers and learners are cheering. I saw a helicopter. It was flying low. It was flying just above the trees. ‘Our leader! Our leader!’ we shouted. It was our Member of Parliament. He travels in a plane. It belongs to him. The helicopter landed in our school playground. Three big cars arrived in our compound. They too belonged to him. He came out and greeted us. His wife waved at us. She had golden rings in her hand. He told us if we do well, he will give us a treat. He will lift us up the skies. I will try my best.”

The chairman of the Kenya Publishing Association, Lawrence Njagi, during a press briefing said the illustrations are suitable for early primary school children. He particularly defended the above illustration in the Grade Two textbook saying that adults are interpreting it in the wrong way and distorting the intended meaning.

“There is nothing factually wrong with that passage. The passage should be looked at in the eyes of the child not in the eyes of the politician or us the grown-ups,” he said. He also faulted the media for exaggerating the passage saying that it was based on perception rather than the facts.

The association’s chairman said the media blew the passage out of proportion based on perception, rather that the facts. The other book that raised questions had an illustration of a couple in bed which the public claims to be misleading for the learners.

The publishers claimed the books are not local, but from Ghana and the United States but did not provide any proof.

While steal defending the association, Mr. Njagi said, “This is not a Kenyan text book and is not used in our curriculum. This particular text book comes from Ghana in West Africa. It has nothing to do with our curriculum or publishing houses.” Mr Njagi said.​

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *