Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), Julius Ogamba, has called upon universities to embrace learner-based approaches while giving emphasis to practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge.
Speaking at Murang’a University of Technology during the eighth graduation ceremony, the CS challenged institutions of higher learning to blend practical skills into theoretical courses to ensure that programmes were aligned with the needs of the job market.
“Focusing on relevant real-world issues and collaborating with industry ensures that academic institutions can play a significant role in fostering economic growth and social progress.” CS said.
He called upon local universities to promote research and innovation to address local and national challenges by working closely with industries to promote entrepreneurship and the marketability of graduates.
“Universities should work closely with industry, which is the actual consumer of their research and innovations, because industries are a source of employment for university graduates.” He said,
“By promoting entrepreneurship, universities will not only contribute to the individual successes of their students but also to the broader goal of sustainable development.” He added.
While addressing the concerns surrounding the controversy-ridden university funding model, the CS admitted that the shift in systems was bound to face teething problems, which were likely to be sorted out in due course.
He acknowledged reports that some needy learners could have been placed in bands that do not reflect the economic realities of their households, but said there was room for appeal to rectify the anomalies.
Given the government’s policy of leaving no one behind, the Education CS ordered all public universities to admit all students to their institutions as the government processes the students’ appeals.
“The government is committed to ensuring robust and efficient university education that executes its role of teaching, research, and innovation.” He said.
“That determination is exemplified by the ongoing government efforts to implement the student-centred funded model, which seeks to restore the financial health of universities while focusing on supporting students based on their level of need.” He added.
Ogamba stated that more than 130,000 first-year students from the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education class have already been awarded funds under this model, noting that in total, the government has set aside Sh28.3 billion for loans and scholarships in this financial year.
“I have given firm instruction to the Higher Education Loans Board and the Universities Fund to swiftly process the students’ appeals and release the results within three weeks.” He said.
“In the meantime, I urge all the first-year students that are satisfied with the band they have been placed in to move quickly and pay up their household contribution to their respective universities.” He added.
The CS further defended the new funding model, saying it is expected to address university challenges which had caused ballooning debt in the institutions, totalling about Sh. 70 billion by the 2022–2023 financial year.
“The model is designed to align better with the diverse needs of students, ensuring that financial support is distributed in a way that promotes fairness and long-term sustainability.” He said.
Further, the CS stated that going into the future and for sustainable financing of higher education, the government, together with stakeholders, will develop a legal and policy framework that will consolidate the various bursaries and scholarship schemes provided by different entities, such as the NG-CDF, county governments, the Ministry of Education, and other public and private entities, into one pot.
“Combining this will enhance equity and affordability in education and also strengthen efficiency by eliminating waste,” CS Ogamba said.
The cabinet secretary called for prudent use of resources within the education sector.
By Purity Mugo
