Universities in Kenya will have to align their programs with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) or become irrelevant Education stakeholders has said.
They say the system requires a shift towards a more skills-focused approach to learning to make their graduates more competitive in local and global job markets.
This call to action comes as CBC education, which is a strategic response to a dynamic skills-driven global market, is being implemented across all levels of education, including universities.
Egerton University Vice Chancellor Professor Isaac Kibwage argued that the global job market was increasingly undergoing transformation that was being driven by advancements in technology, automation, and evolving employer expectations and emphasized the need for universities integrating CBC education into their learning programs.
Professor Kibwage said in this dynamic landscape, skill-based education had emerged as a game-changer, bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical application.
“The traditional degree-focused education, once seen as the hallmark of employability, is no longer sufficient to meet the demands of industries which are undergoing rapid disruption”, the Don added.The VC regretted that universities that fail to adapt to CBC may find their graduates less competitive in the job market and their programs less relevant to national needs and may face challenges in securing funding or attracting students.
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He observed that by embracing CBC universities will significantly contribute to national development and educational reforms adding that the focus world over had shifted towards equipping individuals with tangible, market-relevant skills that prepare them for immediate employment and long-term adaptability.
“In essence, the CBC is a proactive step towards aligning Kenya’s education system with the evolving needs of the global economy, ensuring that its graduates are equipped with the skills and competencies necessary to succeed in a dynamic and competitive world, “he explained.According to the Global Talent Index 2024, 78 percent of employers now prioritize skills over academic qualifications in their hiring decisions. This paradigm shift is especially pronounced in sectors like technology, healthcare, and digital marketing, where specialized competencies outpace the value of generalized knowledge.
With critical thinking at the core of Competency Based Education (CBE), the Vice Chancellor emphasized that this shift was not just a policy trend, but a strategic response to a dynamic, skills-driven global market.
The VC further explained that the goal of the new system was to produce job-ready graduates who do not just memorize but master practical, market-relevant competencies. Skill-based education, he added was not just a solution to employability challenges but also a pathway for sustainable economic growth.
“We must start producing graduates with the skills required for the 21st-century job market by emphasising practical skills and competencies,” Professor Kibwage stated.
