A recent circular by Kenya’s Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu where the government intends to phase out business courses within three years from technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs is ill-advised and has distressing consequences.
Entrepreneurial skills are just as important as technical skills, and removing business courses limits the opportunities and potential for students. Additionally, every professional should have a basic understanding of business concepts in order to be successful in their careers. Entrepreneurship also plays a crucial role in economic growth.
Furthermore, the job market is already oversaturated with STEM graduates and removing business courses will only add to the problem. Additionally, in today’s business-oriented world, a lack of fluency in business language is detrimental to trade.
TVETs have already invested heavily in these courses in terms of resources and infrastructure, which will now go to waste.
Scrapping business courses offer an unpalatable recipe for many lecturers who will lose their jobs and students who may have to find alternative institutions to continue their education, resulting in a heavier financial burden.
Before implementing this directive, the government should consult widely and allow for public participation to prevent any negative impact on the technical education and training sector.
