Develop curriculum with help of employers, Kaimenyi tells varsities

Universities have once again been challenged to work closely with employers in developing relevant curricula for learners.

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said meeting the needs of the labour market had increasingly become the objective of the government, with the higher education systems being significant contributors to achieving this aim.

“This interest in graduate employability reflects the acceptance of human capital theory under which the task of the government is to foster conditions that encourage growth in the stock of human capital,” said Prof Kaimenyi.

He said expenditure at the university level continued to be increased, leading to an increase in the number of public universities and university colleges from seven in 2003 to 31 in 2013.

FLEXIBLE PROGRAMMES

He said more than 300,000 students are enrolled in universities due to flexible programmes introduced.

Prof Kaimenyi said annually more than 750,000 young people of working age join the labour market and out of these, over 50,000 were fresh graduates.

The Cabinet Secretary said  the greater concern raised by employers was with regard to disparity in the nature of skills and competence being imparted to learners.

“Employers want graduates who can adapt to the workplace culture, use their abilities and skills to evolve the organisation and those that are innovative,” said Prof Kaimenyi.

He added that the development calls for a shift in the way tertiary institutions carry out their business.

Prof Kaimenyi said the findings of the ongoing research project “Universities, Employability And Inclusive Development” that is in its second year would inform the government on what was happening.

“Its findings will inform us where we  wish to be and guide us on what we need to do to get there, how will we do it, when will we do it, who will do it, and what it will cost us,” said Prof Kaimenyi.