Increasing Unemployment and Under-employment of Graduates in East Africa: Responsibilities for Educational Policy Makers and Higher Learning Institutions.
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Date
2015-05
Authors
Ndayambaje, I.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
In the recent times, there has been an exponential enrolment in Eastern African higher education institutions. This trend is pointed out to have contributed to the increase in rates of unemployment as well as underemployment. Hence, this paper seeks to demonstrate the effects of such a growing threat to individuals, institutions, governments and the society at large. This paper has referred mainly to the context of Kenya and Rwanda. The data on higher education graduates and graduates’ employability were solely secondary. They were collected from different official websites and physical documents. The discussion of the findings has led to the conclusion that higher learning institutions seem to be much concerned with the quantity over the quality of the required graduates. Indeed, due to lack of poor policy enforcement, higher learning institutions do seemingly operate in competition coupled with a tendency in money hunting from aspirants for higher education which undermine the consideration of current and future employment possibilities and requirements. Therefore, the findings of this paper inform and point out the responsibilities of educational policy makers and institutions of higher learning vis-à-vis unemployment and underemployment. The paper recommends that Kenyan and Rwandan governments take up their role to monitor their educational systems and channel them adequately towards the fulfillment of the countries’ needs and visions. Also, the empowerment of governmental policy making bodies and frank collaboration of all education stakeholders are of high necessity.
Description
This paper was presented at the International Conference on
‘Re-Engineering Education for Sustainable Development’ held on
18th – 20th May 2015 at Kenyatta University Conference Centre (KUCC) Nairobi, Kenya
Keywords
Unemployment, Underemployment, Higher Education, Educational Policy, Graduate, East Africa, Kenya, Rwanda
Citation
International Conference on ‘Re-Engineering Education for Sustainable Development’ 18th – 20th May 2015