Kenya’s Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has challenged universities to allocate more resources to improve the efficiency of virtual learning by acquiring more electronic resources.
Magoha said universities need to work with the Commission for University Education (CUE) and ensure that while engaging and teaching learners through virtual learning, standards are not compromised.
Prof Magoha in a speech read on his behalf by Chief Administrative Secretary Mumina Bonaya during a graduation ceremony at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) said that the only challenge is for institutions of higher learning to make virtual learning more efficient and sustainable.
He added that there is a need to allocate more resources to improve the efficiency of virtual learning by way of bandwidth and acquisition of more electronic learning resources.
Magoha noted that the pandemic was a wakeup call for learning institutions and thanked universities for swiftly shifting to virtual learning that kept learning ongoing despite the suspension of physical learning.
The CS said that although it was an expensive move, students bought computers and connected them to internet to make it possible for virtual learning.
The CUE has progressively been approving universities to ensure they meet the minimum requirements to offer blended learning.
Among the requirements for universities is to have relevant infrastructure, internet connectivity and relevant equipment to support online learning.
TUK Vice Chancellor Francis Aduol said the university has increased its investment in ICT infrastructure to support blended learning adding that university council has been very crucial in lobbying for the necessary assistance for both operational and infrastructural resources.
The chairperson of the university council, Dr Halima Saado, said over the years, the TUK has suffered underfunding due to historical factors including its transition from Kenya Polytechnic to Kenya Polytechnic University College and later to the Technical University of Kenya.
She said the transition involved retaining all existing staff and diploma courses among others.
Dr Saado asked the Ministry of Education to give the university more funding to match its requirements, saying it needs heavy investments in workshop equipment and laboratory teaching aids as well as in ICT.
Prof Magoha asked graduates to use their skills for self-employment or alternative jobs that do not necessarily suit the courses they have done in universities.
Prof Magoha advised graduates to be open to grab any opportunity that may come their way.
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