Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangúla, has emphasised on the importance of aligning education with market needs.
The Speaker further urged a shift from the perception that education guarantees employment.
“Are we delivering the kind of education that propels our economy forward? Germany, for instance, has 70 per cent of its graduates in science fields, which drives their technology and innovation. Kenya must focus on fields that will also help propel the country forward,” he stated.
Wetangúla made the remarks when he hosted a delegation of doctoral leadership students from USIU-Africa, led by Prof. Timothy Oketch, Dean of the Chandaria School of Business.
The meeting delved into pressing issues affecting Kenya’s education sector, the Affordable Housing agenda, and the potential risks posed by gaps in the IEBC’s structure.
Oketch highlighted Kenya’s struggle with graduate employability despite having over 70 chartered universities.
He noted that overcrowded classrooms and a mismatch between academic training and labor market demands were critical issues.
“Policies are in place, but enforcement is lacking,” Oketch said. “We must invest in inclusivity, enhance digital transformation, and strengthen TVET institutions and universities to prepare our youth for jobs of the future. Agriculture drives 60 per cent of our economy, but we need more emphasis on entrepreneurial skills, digital jobs, artificial intelligence, and robotics to remain competitive,” he added.
Wetang’ula underscored the need for a clearer roadmap to ensure the successful implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
“Our education system has undergone many experiments, but poor communication and planning have hampered the CBC rollout. Parents and students haven’t fully embraced it because they don’t understand it. It’s time to ensure all stakeholders are on board,” the Speaker remarked.
On affordable housing, the delegation and the Speaker raised concerns about the sustainability of the initiative if future administrations deprioritise it.
Oketch questioned the sustainability of the Affordable Housing Agenda if successive governments don’t prioritise housing.
“We need a framework to ensure continuity and a cost-effective approach to meet this promise,” he said.
