Cabinet Secretary for Education Mr. Julius Migos Ogamba appreciated the continuous support the German government gave towards education, training, and research in Kenya. He added that the collaboration had created an enabling environment for cultural exchange, technology advancement, and skills transfer between the two countries.
Speaking at his Jogoo House office during a courtesy call from the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Kenya, Mr. Sebastian Groth, Mr. Ogamba underpinned the importance of this partnership. In attendance were key officials: Dr. Belio Kipsang, the PS in charge of Basic Education; Dr. Esther Muoria, the PS for TVET; and Mr. Darius Ogutu, the Director for Higher Education.
He said there are currently about 10,000 students learning German in over 130 secondary schools in Kenya. Dr. Kipsang spoke very highly of the high school exchange programs between schools in Kenya and those in Germany that let participants improve their German language skills while soaking in German culture and landscape.
Dr. Muoria also thanked Germany for its many various assistance programs, particularly in the area of vocational training. She revealed that much had been drawn from Germany’s dual vocational training model, which goes back to centuries ago. This model links education to the industry and makes the graduate student work-ready at the end of his or her training.
This, however, was tempered by an assertion from Dr. Muoria that the Ministry was keen to make even more improvements to the system in order to train the youth in ways tailor-made to suit industry needs.
Attending the courtesy call was a renewed pledge between the two countries for deeper cooperation, especially on ensuring mutual benefits for both countries: Kenya and Germany.