The role played by the cooperative sector in Kenya’s development is undeniable, encompassing various sectors such as agriculture, education, housing, transport, and health.
The government’s initiative to introduce cooperative education in schools is praiseworthy as it aims to establish a solid foundation for the sector’s future growth.
As the top-ranked country in Africa and 7th globally, educating young minds about the cooperative sector’s significance in the country’s development right from the classroom is a step in the right direction.
This move will lead to an increased understanding and appreciation of the cooperative sector’s pivotal role in enhancing social and economic status among a growing number of Kenyans.
Cooperative education will empower students to adopt a long-term view of the cooperative movement, encouraging them to join and contribute to its development, as well as reap its significant benefits.
With over 14 million Kenyans already involved in cooperatives, the introduction of cooperative education in schools will attract even more to join the movement.
Consequently, this will enhance the country’s saving culture, which currently stands at about 16 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.
The cooperative movement contributes approximately 31 percent of the national savings, and by encouraging more individuals to join, the savings rate will increase.
As more Kenyans join the cooperative sector, there will be an improvement in the savings rate, providing a reliable source of capital for long-term investments.
A high savings rate is crucial for funding development projects, making the cooperative sector a major source of capital for long-term projects such as infrastructure development.
This will enable many Kenyans to benefit from the valuable financial literacy training, assisting them in setting financial goals and working diligently to achieve them.
The cooperative movement also creates job opportunities for thousands of Kenyans across various fields. By introducing cooperative education in schools, many students will develop a keen interest in pursuing careers related to cooperatives.
Consequently, students will regard cooperative societies as potential employers, thereby deepening their understanding of the sector.
This will result in professionals possessing a better understanding and expertise in addressing issues affecting the cooperative sector due to early exposure to the sector.
Additionally, this will lead to an increase in research papers, providing a wealth of literature and solutions for improving the cooperative sector’s development outcomes.
Introducing cooperative education is undoubtedly a worthwhile endeavor and will elevate it to a higher level, benefiting all and positioning the country as a leading light in Africa and the world.
