Secretary to the Cabinet, Mercy Wanjau, has launched the Re-Imagine Education 2025 initiative at the African Leadership University (ALU) conference. The initiative aims to transform education systems to align with the evolving demands of the workforce, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped for the modern job market.
In her address, Wanjau emphasized the urgent need for Kenya to rethink its education framework to meet 21st-century economic demands. She highlighted the mismatch between academic qualifications and employment opportunities, noting that many young Africans are compelled into entrepreneurship or informal employment due to the scarcity of formal job openings.
“Ancient Rome trained its youth to fit the purpose of the community. Similarly, we must redesign our education system to ensure our young people are well-prepared for modern challenges,” Wanjau stated.
She also underscored the government’s commitment to education reforms, citing the Open University initiative as a key step toward expanding access to education. However, she stressed the importance of bridging technological gaps to help young people thrive in an increasingly digital and dynamic business landscape.
Dr. Milton Njuki, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Education’s State Department for Higher Education, echoed Wanjau’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for strategic human capital development as outlined in the 2020 Declaration on Higher Education. He highlighted the transformation of universities into research hubs and advocated for extended internship programs to enhance practical skills and increase workforce retention.
“The future of education lies in practical learning. Universities must focus on equipping students with hands-on experience through internship programs and partnerships with the private sector,” Njuki remarked.
Re-Imagine Education 2025 aims to tackle key issues such as aligning curricula with career aspirations, responding to employer needs, and fostering public-private sector collaboration to create a future-ready workforce. The initiative seeks to ensure that students are not only academically qualified but also possess the practical skills required by modern employers.
The conference brought together education leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders to deliberate on the future of education in Kenya and beyond. The event concluded with a call for continuous assessment of ongoing education reforms to guarantee their effectiveness in meeting the needs of youth and society at large.
This initiative marks a crucial step toward bridging the gap between education and employment, reinforcing the importance of a dynamic and responsive education system in shaping Kenya’s future workforce.
