Government to reform education system to meet market needs, says Uhuru

President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced plans to reform the Kenya’s education system to make it relevant to market needs.

President Kenyatta said in the past, education has not held the interest of young people because little had been done to make it relevant to the lives of learners.

“I need not tell you what opportunities have been lost. So we resolved to transform our education system so that it could hold our children’s interest,” he added.

The President said a number of changes will be made to the education policy and curriculum to ensure Kenyan children enjoy their learning.

President Kenyatta spoke when he granted a Charter to Kibabii University in Bungoma County.

Before its upgrading, Kibabii was a constituent college of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

The President reminded institutions of higher learning the need to equip graduates with the skills that will enable them to have a competitive edge in the way they apply the knowledge and skills.

IMPART SKILLS

He told universities to strive to produce graduates with skills that bring creativity and innovation in all fields and create jobs for others.

“The days when a university degree was an automatic ticket to secure a job are behind us,” President Kenyatta said.

On financing of university education, the President said the government will continue to increase funding to the sector including enhancing funding to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to support needy students.

“We shall give HELB loans to every Kenyan student in universities in the country and within the East Africa Community, as well as those in middle level and tertiary institutions,” he said.

The President urged universities to supplement government efforts by raising funds for bursaries, scholarships and other schemes that enhance access and equity in higher education.

He revealed that the technical, industrial, vocational and business training sectors in the country were also being revamped in order to ensure a vibrant tertiary and university education system.

President Kenyatta said the government would establish new national polytechnics and develop new model technical training institutions in all parts of the country.

He encouraged Kibabii University to put special emphasis on bio-technology, renewable energy and biofuels, bio-resource management and conservation courses.

HELP BUILD NEW KENYA

“With the award of the charter, Kibabii University now enters the university scene as a fully-fledged member of the local and international university community,” the President said.

He challenged the university and other institutions of higher learning to support the building of the new Kenya envisaged by the Constitution through the development of selfless, honest, transformative and visionary leaders.

“Kibabii University is being born at a time when universities must prepare men and women who are appropriately and adequately equipped to cope with the rapidly globalising and knowledge-based society,” said the President.

President Kenyatta, who was installed as the first chancellor of the university, donated Sh2 million in support of needy students in the institution.

The President also sent a message of condolence to the French government following terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday night that claimed the lives of 129 people.

President Kenyatta told Kenyans to be vigilant and volunteer information to security agencies on terrorists and other criminals hiding in their midst.