NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 20 – The Government has formulated education policies that emphasise relevance and quality at all levels of the learning with an aim of producing creative and innovative citizens, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has said.
The VP asserted that imparting knowledge and skills through education is not enough without the provision of practical knowledge that produces all-round self reliant students who can stand the test of integrity besides addressing developmental challenges facing the nation.
“Admittedly, education for the sake of it is not enough. We need an education that produces all round students who are self reliant, creative and innovative, capable of providing tactical solutions to our country’s development challenges,’’ said Mr Musyoka.
The VP was speaking on Wednesday during the sixth graduation ceremony of the Aga Khan University held at the institution’s graduation pavilion, Parklands, Nairobi, where he was the chief guest.
During the occasion 82 graduands received degrees and diplomas.
Mr Musyoka expressed government’s appreciation to his Highness the Aga Khan spiritual leader and Imam of the Ismalia community for the continued contribution to development of education and other sectors such as health in the country.
The VP said the government attaches great importance to education as evidenced by the larger budgetary allocation over the years.
He said that a considerable growth has been witnessed in the sector from the primary school level to colleges and universities.
“We now have seven public universities, up from one at independence and several constituent colleges and 18 private universities including the Aga Khan at the moment,” he said.
The VP however said that despite the increase in such education opportunities the demand for higher education continues to grow.
Mr Musyoka attributed the increased demand on the successful implementation of free primary education and tuition for secondary schools programs.
He urged the private sector and religious organisations to take advantage of the available demand for higher education to invest in the sector by establishing new and expanding existing educational facilities.
The VP stressed on the importance of ensuring provision of quality standards of education.
“The Government will strictly monitor compliance to ensure that standards are not only upheld but that the courses offered are relevant to the country’s needs and aspirations as exposed in Vision 2030,” he said.
The University’s President, Firoz Rasul said there are plans to establish the Aga Khan University’s new campuses and programmes in East Africa at a cost of over $700 million and create over 6,000 new jobs.
Mr Rasul added that there is an aggressive expansion agenda for Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi and launching of a Heart and Cancer Centre at the end of the year.
He said the centre will provide a critical medical treatment currently not available in East Africa and train specialists in cardiac diseases and cancer.
Present were the Chairman of the Aga Khan University Board of Trustees, Saidullah Khan Dehlavi among other guests.
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