Education Secretary Urges Polytechnic Graduates to Become Job Creators
At the 20th graduation ceremony held in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya’s Education Secretary, Ogamba, delivered a powerful and timely message to the graduating Class of 2025. Facing persistent national economic challenges, the Secretary stressed that polytechnic graduates must look beyond traditional employment pathways. Instead, he urged them to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship, positioning themselves as future job creators rather than just job seekers.
This call for self-reliance is directly linked to the sobering reality of Kenya’s youth unemployment crisis, where joblessness for the 15-24 age group hovers around 12% and rises even higher for young adults. Ogamba framed entrepreneurship as a national necessity, encouraging graduates to leverage their technical skills to contribute directly to the economy. He specifically highlighted that polytechnic graduates, equipped with practical skills through their training, are perfectly suited to fill critical gaps in high-growth sectors, including Housing and Infrastructure, Manufacturing, and the burgeoning Digital Economy.
The Education Secretary went on to detail the government’s commitment to supporting this entrepreneurial shift. He outlined comprehensive TVET reforms, particularly the adoption of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) model, which is designed to align the skills learned in polytechnics directly with current market demands. Furthermore, government support includes significant investment in equipment upgrades for TVET institutions and the provision of government scholarships intended to make technical education more accessible and affordable for prospective students.
Despite the motivational push, the Secretary’s message was met with notes of caution from some graduates and observers. Concerns were raised over the practical realities of starting a business in the current economic environment. Key business barriers cited included high taxes, the pressure of existing student loans, and persistent regulatory hurdles that often stifle the growth of small start-ups. Ultimately, while the government is improving the educational foundation and encouraging a mindset shift, the greater challenge remains for policymakers to actively dismantle these economic and regulatory obstacles, ensuring talented technical graduates can successfully translate their diplomas into thriving businesses that create wider employment opportunities.
