Government will press on with instituting reforms in the education sector, DP Gachagua says
The Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has said that the government will press on with instituting reforms in the education sector.
The DP noted the reforms recommended by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms will help to re-engineer the sector.
He spoke earlier today during the 41st graduation at the University of Eastern Africa Baraton in Nandi county.
“The report has set on course a raft of reforms that will re-engineer the Education System to meet emerging socio-economic development demands of the country.” The DP noted.
The DP said President William Ruto formed the taskforce to seek inclusive and evidence-based reforms in the Education Sector in a bid to refocus and retool graduates from job seeking to job creation.
While supporting the proposed new funding for university students, Gachagua said it was important to refocus the financial support for those in dire need of assistance to benefit.
“We are changing the university education funding model to make it better. We want students who are in need of funding to get full assistance. We are refocusing the funding of education to make it better.” He added.
The DP said the Kenya Kwanza Administration will continue to set aside funds to raise the quality of education in learning institutions.
He asserted that the government had allocated Sh628 billion to the sector in the administration’s first budget (2023/24), which is an increment of more than Sh84billion from the previous year.
“We are implementing and igniting a system that is skill-focused for development. We are no longer going to graduate people to learn on the job -we want finished products to support the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda.” He added.
The Deputy President said church-based institutions, like Baraton, had contributed to the nation’s development promising to strengthen the partnership with them.
“As a government we appreciate the church’s contribution in education and health. They have done a tremendous job in the betterment of the lives of the people.” He observed.
Further, he challenged the graduates to explore opportunities such as the paid-up internships by the government to integrate academic skills with job market demands.
The University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Philip Maiyo lauded the DP for speaking the truth, adding he was an inspiration to the youth.
“You are well known for speaking the truth. This virtue has endeared you to the Kenyans. Your success story speaks volumes and is deserving of emulation by our young people. Our young people are proud of you. The elderly admires your leadership.” Maiyo said.
