Access
to higher education, particularly at the university level, has grown since the
1990s. Evening classes in particular have revolutionary access. And many who
start at lower tertiary levels or who gain some financial clout after getting
gainful employment have found their way to university. The zeal is really
encouraging.
Since
the advent of parallel programmes by public universities coupled with the
Government open policy to encourage private investments in universities, the
phenomenal increase in degree programmes and scholars is encouraging. We have
issues with quality in a number of cases or programmes as well, but with
requisite regulations and inspections plus capacity building, this will be surely
overcome.
Nonetheless,
good education is a game changer for any country. No country has ever developed
without greater investments in education.
Challenge
could be why are we not finding earth-shaking innovations in ICT sector where
we are seeing plenty of developments of applications solutions? Why with all
this accumulation of knowledge and skills, why are we falling behind in some
areas such is in national integration, job creation, and accountability in
leadership and in attracting requisite investments badly needed in the country?
Why are we suffering mass exit of investors in crucial sectors like
manufacturing? Why do we keep complaining of poor leadership at all levels yet
there is increase educated people?
Don't
be surprised that after 2017 elections, we will be back to our whining ways on
the leadership at counties and national levels. Don't be surprised that we will
be accusing Parliament of sleeping on the job. Don't be surprised we will still
be worried that we are not finding solutions to poverty, unemployment,
tribalism, corruption and youth radicalization.
Methinks
we are a country that epitomizes hypocrisy. That is one big reason that we have
been unable to fight vices like tribalism and corruption. So long as an
official accused of any of the said evils is one of our own, tribal Kenyans
will never point an accusing finger.
If
anybody is in doubt that Kenya is a knowledgeable community, just scan around
and see enrolment in universities. Just check the working population that is
going back to school. Just look at the growing numbers of post-graduate
students.
The
other day I sent some research officers out to find out a good estimate of the
number of professors and PhD holders who are Kenyans either working in the
country or out. By the mere sampling of those working in universities and some organizations
here in Kenya, you would be impressed by the yearly growth in numbers.
We
can truly build a robust educated population in time. Nonetheless, beyond
academic and professional qualifications, we should start also getting
solutions for the numerous problems afflicting Kenya. Part of it will involve
partaking silently as well as in organized civic education in finding solutions
to our political, economic and social problems malaise much of which look to
jinx Kenya unnecessarily.
Obviously,
I would encourage more expansion of education and greater enrolment. But at the
same time, I would urge professionals or rather the well-educated that they owe
this nation ideas on how to overcome many of the problems we find ourselves
engulfed in.