This document provides a concept note for an upcoming international conference in Mombasa, Kenya from August 23-27, 2022 on enhancing education. The conference aims to discuss co-creation of curriculum, training, policy development, and linking education to industry between Kenya and Finland. It will bring together government ministries, universities, training colleges, businesses and other stakeholders to share best practices for competency-based education, teacher training, apprenticeships, research and innovation, and aligning education with industry needs through interactive discussions and workshops. The expected outcomes include adopting strategies to link innovators with investors, reviewing curricula and teacher training, and developing practical solutions for education policies.

1. HAMK
HAMEEN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU
HAME UNMRSITY OF APPi.JED SOENCES
CONCEPT NOTE FOR THE UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
ENHANCING EDUCATION IN KENYA
23R.D TO 267H AUGUST2022 AT THE PRJDEINN RESORT IN MOMBASA
Theme: Co-creation of Curriculum, Training, Policy Development and Linking Education
to Industry
Background and Purpose
Kenya's Vision 2030 and Session Paper No. 2 of 2015 envisions an education and training
system that will provide for the development ofthe individual learner's potential in a holistic and
integrated manner, while producing intellectually, emotionally and physically balanced citizens
(BECF, 2017). The goal of education in Kenya is to provide Quality Education and Training to
all citizens.
To achieve this goal, the Ministry of Education has partnered with Finland's Ministry of
Education and Culture, through the Tampere Education cluster and stakeholders, to hold an
international conference on policy development, curriculum and training and industry linkages to
foster learning, research and entrepreneurship geared towards solving social and economic
challenges ofthe 2l51
century. The conference will be jointly hosted by the Ministry of Education
and the Education Tampere cluster stakeholders..
The Tampere Education cluster partners have participated in several global education
partnerships to share best practices in student-centred and competency-based model of learning
and teacher training in the delivery of sustainable education. Their strengths include competence-
based education, individual student guidance, strong work-life connections and customer-driven
solutions. The conference therefore marks an important milestone in the journey towards
establishing a long-term relationship between Kenya and Finland through the Tampere
Education cluster stakeholders
The highly interactive event will provide information and working sessions on policy, education,
curriculum development, industry linkages and learn best practices from the Finnish experts who
are the main facilitators. The forum will provide an opportunity to refine action plans and
pledges from key stakeholders in the Kenyan education sector, especially on policy development.
Objective of the Conference
To raise awareness and share information about the transformation of education in Kenya by
building the capacities of teachers and lecturers, training of trainers, linking education with
industry, promoting research, innovation and policy development.
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Participants
The Conference will bring together:
l. International Guests and Facilitators
2. The Ministry of Education
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HAMEEN AMMAmKDRKEAKOULU
HAM: l.NVER8ITY OF APPi.ED SCEM:ES
3. Other relevant Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Commissions
4. Public and Private Universities
5. TVET institutions
6. Teacher Training Colleges
7. Industrialists, Companies and Cooperate leaders
8. Business Community
9. Bankers
Sub-Theme 1: Curriculum and Training
The 8-4-4 system is deemed to serve best those who score high grades in traditional subjects at
the end of secondary education, and then proceed for higher education and take up white-collar
jobs, thereby ignoring many children whose aptitude, interests, and abilities are in vocational
education, creative arts and sports (Kabita and Ji, 2017). Based on these shortcomings, a task
force chaired by Professor Odhiambo on the Re-alignment of the Education Sector with the
Kenya Vision 2030 and Constitution of Kenya 2010 was put in place in 2012, leading to the
development of the Sessional Paper No. 2 of2015 by the Government on "Reforming Education
and Training in Kenya". Part of the recommendations of the Sessional paper is a Competency-
Based Curriculum (CBC), establishment of a national learning assessment system, early
identification and nurturing of talents, the introduction of national values and national cohesion
and their integration into the curriculum. The CBC has since been adopted by the Ministry of
Education with its first cohort of candidates in Grade 6 set for their national examination by the
end ofthe year as they transition to junior high school.
The education sector is therefore called upon to put emphasis on providing excellent teaching
and learning environment, resources and a sustainable curriculum that provides every learner
with seamless, competency-based, quality learning that values every learner as well as
identifying, developing, and nurturing talent in all fields through education, policy and industry.
These deliberations therefore come at an opportune time for the stakeholders to learn best
practice from Finland.
Sub-Theme 2: Linking Education with Industry
There is need to align curriculum development with entrepreneurial skills. To appeal to students,
universities and tertiary institutions across the country must introduce new programmes to entice
learners and convince industries about their value. However, cosmetic enhancements do not alter
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the deep reality that there exists a disconnect between industry needs and the academia, which
has contributed to a massive skills gap in Kenya. It is time for employers to commit to work
hand-in-hand with tertiary institutions, infonn them of sector needs and fund industry research.
Education and industry have the potential of working together for mutual benefit and institutions
of higher learning must embark on co-creation of curricula to introduce apprenticeship and
traineeship. Industries should invest resources to identify, guide and nurture talent in various
disciplines and guide them to develop the knowledge and skills required in entrepreneurship as
well as ensure sustainability. The forum therefore creates an opportunity for dialogue on how to
align curriculum development with entrepreneurial skills.
Sub-Theme 3: Education and policy Development
Policies governing education systems are necessary because they help in the establishment
ofprocedures and creation of standards for quality education. The policies set expectations and
accountability in education, and their absence can result in improper structures and functions.
Various policies are developed to set the tone for refonns in education (Tilak, 2012).
Education practices have become dynamic as they aim at producing learners
who are competent in the job market with skills that include critical thinking, creativity,
communication and collaborative skills. Consequently, policy framework, taking into account
the dynamic nature of education in this modem society, should be developed to enhance prompt
critical refonns in education.
The conference aims at looking at the existing education policies in Kenya, borrow best practice
on policy development and implementation from Finland and suggest ways in which they can be
improved to meet global education goals.
Benefits
• Establish networks and strategies for collaboration and linkages in Education, Curriculum
and Industry
• Enhance skills on development and implementation ofpolicy frameworks
• Learn best practicedemonstrated in Education and Industry by the Finnish Government.
• Meet and network with various stakeholders s, share what works and what doesn't, and
identify synergies and ways of working together.
• Utilize opportunities to learn from successful apprenticeship and traineeship programmes
in Kenya and Finland
• Showcase opportunities for career development and growth
Expected Outcomes
1. Learn and adopt strategies to link innovators and startups with potential
investors/industry.
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2. Learn and adopt best ways to review curricula in pedagogy and develop capacity and
teacher/lecturer training for university, post training, TVETs and Basic Education
Structure of the Conference
The Conference will offer a programme of activities allowing open dialogue, constructive
critiquing, and self-reflection. It will involve keynote presentations and plenary sessions by
eminent personalities and professionals, managers, educationists, and policy makers on strategies
for developing education policies and best ways of linking education with industry.
The plenary sessions will include:
• Presentations by the Finnish team highlighting the success of their education policies and
how they have succeeded in transition to the labour market.
• Presentations by policy experts on the current state ofplay in research, innovation, policy
development, CBC implementation, apprenticeships, and traineeships across the
Ministries, highlighting key success factors, main challenges, and opportunities to
overcome them.
• Presentations on initiatives like the youth apprenticeships and attachments in the
ministries as part oftraineeships which enhance hands-on experience
Thematic working forums will enable interaction among participants. The main aim of the
interactive sessions is to identify common challenges and major barriers, share examples of
interesting practice and develop practical solutions in planning and setting up new, as well as
managing and evaluating, policies. Within each workshop, there will be an opportunity to
explore technical assistance needs in overcoming the challenges and barriers linked to the theme
of each group.
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Cornelius Kiplagat- CEO, MaxGlobal Ltd.
FOR: PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
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