KEWOTA CEO Benter Opande Calls for Affordable Books on World Book Day
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By John Kariuki
On World Book Day, Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA) CEO Benter Opande has urged policymakers to reduce book costs and eliminate barriers to knowledge, emphasizing that education should not be a luxury.
Speaking at the event, Opande highlighted high taxation on books, delays in rationalized textbook distribution, and costly learning materials as key challenges facing Kenyan learners. She called for urgent government intervention to review taxes on publishing and printing, ensuring that books remain affordable for all students.
“The cost of books continues to burden parents, and libraries remain understocked. Knowledge should never be priced out of reach,” she stated.
Opande also encouraged teachers to become authors, noting that with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), locally relevant materials are in demand. “Teachers interact with learners daily, making them the best suited to write content that aligns with Kenya’s values and aspirations,” she added.
Additionally, she pushed for a hybrid approach to learning, integrating both hard copy and digital books to expand access, particularly for students in marginalized areas.
Calling on all stakeholders—including the Ministry of Education and publishers—to fast-track textbook distribution, Opande reaffirmed that investing in books is investing in the future.
“Let us be the generation that ensures every child has access to the books they need, regardless of their background,” she urged.
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