BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SOCIAL WORK
Programmes Offered
School of Education and Social Sciences
Introduction
Over the years, Kenya has experienced economic growth. However, the growth has not translated to significant development of communities owing to the number of persons living below the poverty line. The Bachelor of Arts in Community Development programme imparts learners with requisite skills to facilitate empowerment of community members to take charge of their own development and destinies, through linking community development efforts for individuals and organizations with those of other development actors in order to reduce poverty and bridge inequality. This is in line with Kenya's Vision 2030 and promulgation of a new constitution that envision building better communities that are responsible for their own development.
Rationale
Poverty reduction has proved to be a challenge over time. The Government alone cannot tackle all developmental problems. Development and especially poverty reduction is a responsibility of each citizen. Therefore, local communities need to be empowered and facilitated to make development their responsibility. To do this effectively, the country needs to release graduates with competencies and technical skills in the field of development.
In addition, sustainable development demands that development begins at the grass root, hence the need for local capacity building so that individual communities can be responsible for their own development. It also demands that all development interventions are people-centered, responsive, participatory and all inclusive in that all stakeholders work together both at micro, regional and macro levels. The programme is tailored to meet the needs of development workers not only in local community grass root organizations, but also Non-Governmental Organizations, and in county and national Governments. In all these levels, the four dimensions of sustainability are emphasized: economic, institutional, social and environmental. This programme is therefore innovative in nature and it responds effectively to developmental needs.
Programme Objectives
The course is designed to produce graduates that are equipped with knowledge and skills to enable them spearhead and enhance social, economic, ecological, physical and psychological development of individuals, households and communities.