Kenya creates science day to spur innovation

Kenya on Tuesday announced the formation of a national science day to be marked for the first time in May 2017 as part of efforts by the government to promote science and innovation.

The announcement was made during the 5th National Science Week which kicked off on Monday in the capital city Nairobi.

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Science and Technology Dr. Fred Matiangi said the government is committed to promoting technical, vocational education and training in order to develop skillful workforce.

"We have set the day to help the country promote innovation given that science and technology are critical to the future of Kenya and the attainment of the sustainable development goals," Matiangi said during the ongoing event.

He noted that 60 vocational training institutions are under construction and will be unveiled by the end of June through the partnership from Netherlands, African Development Bank (AfDB) and China.

Matiangi announced that the government is set to increase budgetary allocation to science and innovation towards the achievement of vision 2030 and also fund Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education (STEM).

Currently, 78 percent of students are undertaking arts and humanities while sciences are taken by less than 30 percent.

To help bridge the gap, the government has upgraded eight polytechnics to national status in an effort to help improve teaching and learning of science, technology and innovation.

"We are in the process of making our academic curriculum relevant to respond to the demands of the 21st century," he added.

Matiangi observed that the reforms in the academic curriculum are geared at providing globally competitive quality education and research. Endit