The Kenyan government has unveiled an ambitious plan to strengthen career guidance in schools, targeting more than 24,000 school heads under a new national training programme. The initiative is part of broader efforts to align education with labour market needs and tackle rising youth unemployment.
The programme, jointly implemented by the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, the State Department for Basic Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), will equip teachers with practical tools to help learners make informed career choices. Officials say the move is meant to ease the transition from school to work and reduce the persistent mismatch between skills and available jobs.
Speaking during the launch, Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime emphasised that structured career guidance is key to improving employability among young people. He noted that the training will be delivered virtually to minimise logistical costs while reaching a large number of school leaders efficiently.
Under the new framework, all schools will be required to establish an Office of Career Service. The unit will provide regular mentorship, career counselling and up-to-date labour market information to learners. Education stakeholders believe the move could transform how students plan their academic and professional paths.
Government data shows Kenya’s overall unemployment rate stands at between 4.9 and 5.6 per cent, based on the 2022–2023 survey. However, youth unemployment remains significantly higher, estimated at between 11 and 15 per cent, reinforcing the urgency of the reforms.
The initiative complements the ongoing rollout of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, previously known as CBC, which was introduced in 2018 to nurture practical skills and self-reliance among learners. The earlier 8-4-4 system had faced criticism for overemphasising examinations at the expense of talent development.
