Scholars are urging the Education Ministry to include philosophy as a subject in primary and secondary school curricula. They believe this will help young students develop critical thinking and emotional intelligence.
During a forum at Zetech University, members of the Philosophical Association of Kenya and scholars from different universities discussed the importance of philosophy. They pointed out that many learners struggle with critical thinking, which is crucial for engaging with others and understanding governance.
The scholars emphasized that learning philosophy can build emotional resilience, improve critical thinking, and help students manage social and emotional challenges.
“Integrating philosophy into the school syllabus would give students important life skills, beyond just academic knowledge. When students think philosophically, they learn to analyze issues in depth and relate them to their own lives,” said Prof. Oyier Nyaruath from the University of Nairobi’s Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies.
Dr. Theopillas Kiondo from the Technical University of Kenya and Dr. Stephen Onyango from Consolata International University supported this view. They criticized universities for pushing students to focus on marketable technology and innovation courses instead of philosophy, religion, and history.
They warned that this trend could lead to a lack of critical thinking in the future.
“The goal of studies should not only be to get jobs but to expand our knowledge of the important issues facing society,” said Dr. Onyango.
Zetech University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Njenga Munen, agreed that philosophy is essential for any reputable academic institution. “Any university worth its salt needs philosophical knowledge,” he said.
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