REDEFINING HUMAN CAPITAL IN KENYA: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CURRICULUM REFORMS IN THE 2023 PRESIDENTIAL WORKING PARTY REPORT

Jane Kere Imbunya

Abstract


Human capital development (HCD) is universally recognized as a primary catalyst for economic growth and social transformation. In Kenya, despite significant expansion in higher education enrollment, concerns regarding the quality and employability of graduates have necessitated systemic reforms. This paper analyzes the Report of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform (PWPER, 2023) through the lens of Human Capital Theory. Specifically, it examines the implications of the proposed shift to Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), the restructuring of university governance, and the implementation of a new funding model on the development of a skilled Kenyan workforce. Drawing on data from the report and supporting literature, the study argues that while the PWPER recommendations provide a robust framework for aligning university outputs with labor market demands, the success of these human capital strategies is contingent upon sustainable financing and the mitigation of infrastructural deficits.

Keywords


human capital development, Kenya, PWPER 2023, competency-based education, university reforms, curriculum, TVET

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v13i6.6730

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