By Education News Reporter
The Principal Secretary, State Department University Education and Research Amb. Simon Nabukwesi has called on the youth and stakeholders in institutions of higher learning to chart out ways of fostering peace and cohesion during the electioneering period.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Director University Education Mr. Dairus Ogutu Mogaka, the PS said that peace is the most fundamental element in institutions as it enhances smooth learning and appealed to everyone to preach peace and cohesion, especially among the youth.
“In the recent past, we have witnessed lack of peace and cohesion during electioneering period. It is, therefore, impressive to witness our young people through the Universities and Colleges Students’ Peace Association of Kenya (UCSPAK) taking charge of their destiny through a structured approach that has specific goals that are beneficial to our present and future” said the PS.
Amb. Nabukwesi said the objective of the meeting is to review and approve all UCSPAK activities as proposed by the students and reviewed by the Kenya Universities Deans of Students Association (KUDSA) and the Kenya Association of Technical Training
Institutions (KATTI) on the last major event held by UCSPAK in Migori County.
“This forum provides an opportunity for leaders in higher education to give insight to educators, activists, and policymakers involved in promoting peace and curbing violence” noted the PS. He added that the forum enables students in our institutions of higher learning to have expansive analyses of peace through other lenses and emulate best practices especially during students’ council elections. Specifically, it is a great opportunity for the top echelon of leaders of our scholarly community to carry out inquiry on historical aspect of their roles in promoting and advancing a peaceful environment.
The Peace Education Programme was introduced in 2008 against the backdrop of disputed presidential elections and subsequent post-election violence. The programme serves to reinforce previous efforts to promote peace through education. The specific objectives of institutionalizing peace in higher education are: To promote conflict sensitive policies and programmes within the education sector, To create awareness among learners on the causes of conflict and how to constructively resolve them in their daily lives, To prepare learners to become good citizens in their communities, nation and the world and to equip them with skills that promote peace and human dignity at all levels of interaction and To foster positive images that lead to respect for diversity to enable young people learn to live peacefully in diverse communities in the world.
The PS added that the State Department for University Education and Research will continuously strive to initiate specific interventions through policy initiatives, capacity development, relevant curriculum, advocacy initiatives, and collaboration and partnerships.
He said Universities are required to initiate prompt and comprehensive strategies that have positive influence towards harmonious coexistence. Therefore, support of peace education by senior management is paramount for success.
The breakfast meeting was attended by Vice-Chancellors of Public Universities and Principals of Constituent Colleges among other stakeholders.
