Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau during the launch of Re-Imagine Education 2025 Initiative. Photo/Newsflash
By Newsflash Reporter
The ruling Kenya Kwanza government, through the Secretary to the Cabinet, Mercy Wanjau, has officially launched the Re-Imagine Education 2025 initiative.
The launch took place on Thursday, 6th February 2025, at the African Leadership University (ALU), bringing together academicians, policymakers, and stakeholders.
They convened at the event to explore strategies aimed at transforming education systems in response to evolving workforce demands.
In her remarks, Wanjau emphasised the urgent need to rethink Kenya’s education framework to meet the demands of the 21st-century economy.
She highlighted that many African youths, despite holding the necessary academic qualifications, are often forced into entrepreneurship or informal employment due to limited job opportunities.
“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,” said Wanjau.
She pointed out that the government’s Open University initiative is one of the transformative reforms aimed at enhancing access to education and empowering Kenyan youth.
However, Wanjau stressed the need to address gaps in technology access to ensure young people thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape.
Veda Sunasee from the African Leadership University shared a brief history of the institution, focusing on its commitment to aligning education with career aspirations and employer needs.
ALU’s approach integrates work-based learning opportunities and fosters public-private collaborations to equip graduates with relevant skills for the job market.
Dr. Milton Njuki, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Education’s State Department for Higher Education, reiterated the importance of strategic human capital development as outlined in the 2020 Declaration on Higher Education.
He emphasised that universities are increasingly evolving into research hubs and called for prolonged internship programs to enhance undergraduate skills and improve retention in the workplace.
“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,” said Dr. Njuki.
Re-Imagine Education 2025 aims to address critical issues such as aligning curriculum with career aspirations, responding to employer needs, and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors to create a future-ready workforce.
The event concluded with a call to assess the progress of ongoing education reforms and ensure they meet the needs of the youth and society at large.
