Is Education in Kenya Market-Aligned?
FEATURED BLOG
Is Education in Kenya Market-Aligned?
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Margaret Muhoro and Gerald Kilimo
Aug, 2024
Over the years, Kenya's education curriculum has faced criticism for not aligning with market demands, leaning towards a theoretical approach over hands-on practical and real-world skills. This has resulted in a mismatch between the skills taught and available job opportunities. This gap can be addressed through strong private-sector engagement, which aligns local talent needs through the development of employment-focused skills for students.
Resource Gaps Are Undermining Preparedness for the Future of Work Among Graduates
After independence, Kenya adopted a British-influenced curriculum that prioritized academic subjects over practical and job-ready skills. Efforts to reform the system saw the introduction of the 8-4-4 system in 1985, seeking to provide practical and vocational education. However, its implementation struggled due to inadequate resources. Fast forward to the 21st century, the current Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), despite its improved delivery structure, still faces similar resource challenges as the 8-4-4 system.
The global importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) skills for future job market competitiveness has been emphasized by various actors, including the African Union. This stresses how STEM is becoming increasingly central to the continent's education strategy moving forward in terms of preparing students for the job market.
In Kenya, the focus on STEM has yet to be fully realized, as most university programs are skewed towards arts and humanities. This imbalance arises from the higher costs associated with STEM courses, which require huge investments in infrastructure and technology. As a result, Kenya is producing fewer market-ready graduates with the STEM skills needed in the modern job market. There is a risk of this trend skyrocketing due to the surge in university enrollment on a year-on-year basis, which could negatively impact the country's economic growth and competitiveness.
How the Private Sector is Equipping Students with Market-Ready Skills
The private sector is increasingly developing relevant curricula in Kenya to meet the evolving demands of the job market and bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. An example is the recent partnership between Microsoft's Africa Development Centre and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to update the university's Computer Science degree program. The review aims to address skill gaps and integrate new and emerging concepts into the curriculum. The program enhances scholars' marketability as Kenya's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector grows at 10.8% annually, with 50-55% of jobs expected to require digital skills by 2030.
Another avenue for the private sector to plug into the education sector is addressing students' experience gaps. They are doing so by supporting events that allow students to test their skills and gain practical experience with real-world challenges. These events include hackathons, such as the 2024 Mega Faculty Hackathon organized by Startinev, a leading incubator for tech enthusiasts in the region. Hackathons not only provide networking opportunities but also expose students to entrepreneurial pathways, making them more industry-ready. While not directly part of the curriculum, hackathons are an option to substitute the requirement for final-year students to complete research projects, thus providing real-world training alongside academia. Further, skills qualification recognition through certifications and educational resources from companies like Huawei and Microsoft greatly enhance students' marketability and job prospects. Internships offered to students bridge the gap between academia and industry.
Foreign companies are at the forefront of improving education quality by providing demand-driven skills. To build on this progress, it is crucial to incentivize greater involvement from the local private sector. Particularly, medium-sized enterprises, whose founders are likely educated in Kenyan institutions, could provide insights into local needs for demand-driven education. This localized perspective can lead to more tailored and effective solutions. This can be done through structured incentive schemes, including special recognition awards and cost-splitting mechanisms for linkage activities, which involve sharing the financial burden of collaborative efforts between the private sector and educational institutions. These incentives will enhance collaboration in curriculum development and ultimately bridge the gap between academia and industry.
Boosting Global Competitiveness and Employability of Kenyan Tech Talent
While STEM incorporates a wide range of disciplines, focusing on technology addresses the urgent need for advanced local tech skills that are necessary for global competitiveness and national economic development. This approach can significantly enhance the employability and industry readiness of Kenyan talent.
The strategic participation of the private sector in Kenya's education has largely enhanced the global competitiveness of Kenyan talent. Leading tech firms such as Google, Visa, and Amazon are establishing product development centers and local zones in Kenya, many of which are the first of their kind in Africa. This infrastructure aims to bring services closer to end users in Kenya. This move highlights the country's rising status in the global tech arena, with Kenya currently ranking fourth in Africa with 58,866 developers. Such initiatives boost Kenya's international reputation through exposure to global standards and practices. As a result, Kenyan graduates are equipped with competitive skills and experiences that are recognized worldwide, solidifying Kenya's position in the global tech market.
In conclusion, while Kenya's government has struggled to align with market demands, ongoing efforts by the private sector are bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. This targeted contribution of the private sector in developing industry-relevant curricula and experiential learning opportunities ultimately prepares students to be market-ready.
Margaret Muhoro is an Independent Education Programs Management Consultant and Gerald Kilimo is an Analyst at Botho Emerging Markets Group