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{
    "id": 1266552,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1266552/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 152,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ainabkoi, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Samuel Chepkong’a",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "(1)(b) of the Universities Act, 2012. The purpose of this Charter is to establish a national Open University that is specialised to offer university programmes through distance and e-learning mode. The late Nelson Mandela, who was jailed in Robben Island once said: ‘Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.’ One of the drafters of the United State of America (USA) Constitution by the name Benjamin Franklin said: ‘Education pays the best interest.’ Why are we establishing that university? Regulation 43(3) of the Universities Regulations, 2023 provides requirements for an application for the establishment of a national open university, which include a Cabinet resolution declaring the mandate of the proposed university and a draft charter. Those documents were submitted to Parliament through the Office of the Leader of the Majority Party. Section 24(1)(b) of the Universities Act, 2012 provides for the establishment of a national open university as a specialised university to offer programmes through distance and e-learning modes. Such a university is to be established by His Excellency the President on the recommendation of the Commission for University Education (CUE) through the Cabinet Secretary for Education, with the approval of Parliament. The establishment of the Open University of Kenya is an avenue for enhancement of open and distance learning as captured in various Government policy instruments. These include Sessional Paper No.1 of 2005, Sessional Paper No.1 of 2019, the National Education Sector Strategic Plan (2018 - 2022), Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By Gazette Notice No. 11920 of 30th September 2022, His Excellency the President appointed the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms. Part of the terms of reference of the Working Party was to recommend a framework of operationalising of the National Open University of Kenya and a framework on open, distance and e-learning (ODeL). The rationale for establishing the Open University of Kenya is as follows: 1. The basic philosophy and primary objective for open universities worldwide is to expand options and opportunities for training, in-service, skills upgrading, capacity building and continuing education. The Open University of Kenya will expand access to university education through a flexible mode of study. The intention is to ensure that wherever you are in this country, you will not be disadvantaged because of the distance to universities established in this country. This will apply if the university one has been invited to join is far. For example, someone in Turkana may be admitted to Pwani University, which could be very expensive in terms of distance. Such a person can register through the Open University to pursue their course, finish and complete without leaving their area of residence. All these things can be done within the house and the community. (2) The University will break barriers in access by the difficult-to-reach groups through flexible admission criteria and by systematically building on prior learning. It will help to overcome geographical barriers to access by facilitating access in different localities using technology. (3) The focus on lifelong learning will ensure that no one is left behind in line with the constitutional requirements for non-discrimination and inclusion. It will provide opportunities to the youth, the elderly, and persons living with disabilities, minorities, marginalised groups; including those in various forms of work who wish to pursue upward mobility or to diversify their skill-sets. This is a very good opportunity for Members who want to further their education. There could be Members here with Bachelor’s degrees and they want to advance to master degrees and PhD. They can learn while seated here by using the tools available here to access universities. We know that we have some challenges. The Salaries and Remuneration The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}