The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called for strategic collaborations between the media and non-governmental organisations for inclusive and effective education reporting.
MCK CEO David Omwoyo has said that partnerships aid in elevating pertinent issues affecting society. He argued that such engagements can result in policy change through negotiations with policymakers.
“The media can encourage accountability and drive meaningful changes in the education system. It also has the power to amplify necessary reforms in the education sector”, he said while meeting officials from Zizi Afrique Foundation.
Mr Omwoyo highlighted the role played by Zizi Afrique Foundation in education advocacy as key to enhancing the Council’s mandate on media development.
He also stated that need to reinstate education desks in media houses to enhance reporting in the sector citing the current emerging issues within the education system in the country.
“Education is among the critical issues affecting the country creating a need for wider discussions on the happenings within the sector,” he noted.
He mentioned that the pact between the two organisations will be geared towards training journalists and editors while at the same time opening avenues for grants and mentorship to create a pool of journalists who can authoritatively report on educational matters.
He affirmed that the Council would consider introducing a category in education reporting in the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA), to boost its reportage.
“Media outlets provide a platform for diverse perspectives and insights into educational policies, facilitating conversations with policymakers and influencing them to prioritise effective strategies”, he noted.
Zizi Afrique’s Director of Advocacy and Partnerships Samuel Otieno reinforced the need to strengthen links to national policy and educational reforms by leveraging media.
“Utilising media platforms is essential for soliciting public feedback on educational policies and reforms. This feedback helps policymakers understand community needs and adjust their strategies accordingly, he explained.
He mentioned that the collaboration would create an opportunity for journalists who understand education, to enable them to ask deep-rooted questions in the sector.
He further stated that his organisation was keen on sponsoring the education category during the awards as well as issuing travel grants and mentorship to journalists.