Kenyan Education Gains Sh4.7 billion US Boost During Ruto’s State Visit.
During President William Ruto’s state visit to the United States, a series of strategic agreements were established to inject USD 36.15 million (Sh4.7 billion) into Kenya’s education sector, spanning both basic and higher education.
The Kenya Primary Literacy Programme (KPLP) emerged as the primary recipient, securing USD 24.5 million (Sh3.2 billion) from USAID. This initiative, known as Tusome, focuses on enhancing early grade literacy in English and Kiswahili across public primary schools and selected 1,500 low-cost private schools. The programme targets learners in Grades 1, 2, and 3, with the aim of significantly improving literacy rates over the next five years. Implemented in partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Education, Tusome represents a critical investment in the country’s future.
Higher education also received substantial support, including a new exchange program reminiscent of the historic airlifts of the 1950s and 1960s initiated by Tom Mboya and John F. Kennedy. To commemorate 60 years of bilateral relations between the United States and Kenya, the launch of the Kennedy-Mboya Partnerships highlighted the enduring impact of the Kennedy-era student airlift.
Under this initiative, the US government allocated USD 3.3 million (Sh433 million) to fund a scholarship program for 60 Kenyan undergraduate students to study STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects in the US for a semester. This investment aims to foster intellectual, academic, and innovative exchange between the two nations.
Support for Research and Collaboration
The US government further committed USD 500,000 (Sh65.65 million) to enhance the development of Kenyan students, scientists, researchers, and engineers. This support encourages US universities to increase their collaboration with Kenyan counterparts. The program also includes contributions from Fulbright specialists to offer additional expertise and bolster faculty and research collaboration.
In addition, Kenya, the United States, and major corporations like Microsoft and Mastercard’s Center for Inclusive Growth announced a significant partnership. This collaboration, named EDTECH Africa, aims to establish an educational exchange program between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Kenyan universities. Microsoft will invest USD 500,000 (Sh65.65 million) to support research at the Microsoft Africa Research Institute (MARI) in Nairobi. USAID will contribute an additional USD 850,000 (Sh111.6 million) to facilitate this partnership.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) also pledged to offer workshops, planning grants, or supplements to US universities. These initiatives, conducted in collaboration with Kenyan universities, will focus on identifying joint research priorities and fostering cooperation in education and workforce development.
Furthermore, USAID announced a USD 6.5 million (Sh853.45 million) grant to support a partnership between Edison State Community College in Ohio and Kenya’s United States International University-Africa. This initiative aims to enhance 40 Kenyan technical vocational education and training (TVET) institutions in fields such as information and communications technology (ICT), and the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and textiles.
Framework for Higher Education and STEM
A Framework for Cooperation was signed by both governments to support higher education partnerships specifically in STEM education. This framework encourages collaboration among private sector stakeholders, Kenyan institutions, and US institutions to build mutual capacity in ICT, microchip manufacturing, and other STEM-related fields.
Mid-career government officials will also benefit from a new fellowship program at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, which aims to equip leaders across the continent with policy and technical expertise.
In summary, the agreements and funding secured during President Ruto’s visit to the US represent a significant milestone for Kenya’s educational landscape, promising to elevate both basic literacy and higher education standards across the country.
Kenyan Education Gains Sh4.7 billion US Boost During Ruto’s State Visit.
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