Stakeholders Call for African Education Models Transformation for Modern Job Market
Stakeholders, including university leaders, secondary and primary school teachers, parents, and guardians, have called for the reinvention of learning models in Africa’s educational institutions in order to produce graduates who are adaptable to the ever-changing and unpredictability of the labor market.
During the ReImagine Education Roundtable hosted by the Africa Leadership University (ALU) in Nairobi, the stakeholders unanimously agreed that in the digital age, Africa requires graduates who can provide solutions to the continent’s challenges and, as a result, create the opportunities they seek.
The discussions at the event themed “Developing Africa’s Next Generation of Leaders” echoed the Kenyan Ministry of Education’s overhaul of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC), which aims to offer education that will yield graduates with abilities, skills and knowledge vital for work life in the competitive world.
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Ms. Elizabeth Otieno, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Education, illustrated the CBC’s potential and urged stakeholders to expand the program’s reach to more African students and equip them with modern-day skills.
Otieno expressed that the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has the potential to empower learners with essential skills like communication, enabling them to network and articulate their thoughts and activities.
He emphasized that the CBC equips learners with 21st-century skills that are crucial for addressing societal challenges, and he envisions the education system contributing to the country’s industrialization efforts.
Mr. Veda Sunassee, the chief executive officer of American Leadership University, echoed the sentiments of Kenya’s education sector that there is a need to reimagine education with a concentration on 21st-century skills.
Sunassee emphasized the importance of education reform, particularly in the African context, highlighting the need to incorporate indigenous education models and prepare for economic development and prosperity.
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He also pointed out the young demographic in Africa, with a median age of 19.7 out of a population of about 1.2 billion, stressing the necessity for an African-centric education system to meet the needs of the continent’s people.
He reiterated the need for education systems that prepare young people for a labor market that is constantly evolving.
Prof. Joachim Osur, vice chancellor of Amref International University, called for collaboration from all sectors to develop strategies, particularly for students, to produce workers who are highly literate and skilled in disruptive models for the knowledge economy.
Osur emphasized the importance of graduates’ problem-solving abilities, highlighting the need for an education system overhaul to enhance problem identification skills.
He also noted Kenya’s efforts in this direction through the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which is in its early stages.
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He stressed the importance of educating more stakeholders about the CBC system to encourage its adoption.
Educators had the opportunity to participate in insightful discussions, seminars, and presentations regarding the future of education in Africa during the one-day event.
ALU introduced teachers to its innovative learning model, offering a blueprint for cultivating practical skills and outcomes in African higher education institutions.
The panel discussion, moderated by Folu Adeyeye, Director of Marketing and Communications at ALU, addressed the question, “How Should High Schools and Educational Institutions Adapt to Meet the Evolving Needs of the 21st Century?”
The panellists were Nina Mutegi, CEO of Mirema School; Emma Miloyo, Founder and Director of Design Source and Kiota School; Akinyi Odongo, OGW Founder and President of the Akinyi Odongo Group; Esther Muchiri, Chairperson, The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers; Dr Anne Achieng Aseey, Senior Lecturer, University of Nairobi (UoN) and Sean Karanja, ALU alumni.
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The ReImagine Education Conference has a history of catalyzing meaningful change in the higher education sector of numerous African nations. This event’s discussions and collaborations are anticipated to have an impact on the future of education in Africa.
Stakeholders Call for African Education Models Transformation for Modern Job Market