Ezekiel Machogu, the Education Cabinet Secretary, has declared that the government is nearing the completion of the Competency-Based curriculum (CBC) rollout in institutions of higher education.
During his address at the 4th Biennial Conference on University Research and Innovation, held on June 12 at the Kenya International Convention Centre (KICC), Machogu called on University Vice Chancellors to give precedence to the adoption of CBC and to brainstorm strategies for a successful implementation.
“While appreciating the progress made, universities need to do more in terms of research and outreach to make an impact on society. We need to see more collaborations or partnerships between universities, industry and communities,” said Machogu.
“Similarly, linkages between the universities and industry should be more robust, especially now as the country prepares to usher in Competency Based Education at the higher education level,” he added.
The Cainet Secretary urged the Vice Chancellors to actively collaborate with industry professionals in essential endeavors like creating curricula, offering internships, joint teaching, and assessments. He highlighted that these partnerships are crucial for equipping students with the skills needed for employment.
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Machogu also recommended that the Vice Chancellors to consider adopting Artificial Intelligence to tailor educational experiences, improve instructional methods, and foster academic achievement, with the goal of narrowing the gap between the capabilities of graduates and the demands of the industry.
“My reflections centered around the global academic sphere, particularly on the path our local universities need to take to catch up with world-class institutions that offer a unique ecosystem where intellectual inquiries and discoveries thrive, and the frontiers of human knowledge remain endless,” Machogu stated.
The inaugural group of students educated under CBC is expected to enter university in approximately four years. CBC, which was introduced in 2017, is structured to acquaint students with potential career paths soon after they commence Junior Secondary School, thereby enabling them to select their vocational trajectories in senior secondary school.
CBC strives to equip learners with specific competencies, skills and qualifications, ensuring that the learners are ready for the workforce. It aims to integrate career development learning into the curriculum, making graduates more valuable to current and potential employers.
By Frank Mugwe
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