State department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Principal Secretary.Esther Muoria, on Wednesday, presided over the launch of the Kisumu National Polytechnic Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027 and the JITUME digital Program at the institution.

Dr Muoria stated that the strategic plan will enable the National Polytechnic to plan for its development and monitor ongoing activities within a set time frame.

‘This is a vital document in the leadership of this institution, I implore the Governing Council and management of the institution to actively implement the plan in order to achieve what is outlined,’ the PS directed.

She urged the institutions’ management to prioritise staff and all stakeholders’ sensitisation to attain full adoption and execution of the 5-year plan.

‘I challenge the Kisumu National Polytechnic’s leadership to keenly follow through and ensure feedback reports are submitted within the timelines outlined in the plan so as to make good of the valuable efforts put in developing it,’ Dr Muoria stated.

The Principal Secretary TVET Dr Esther Muoria being taken through the digital training at the Jitume programme centre at the Kisumu National Polytechnic on Wednesday.

Photos by Robert Ojwang’

To attain sustainable growth, she added, all TVET institutions must embrace strategic planning for guided monitoring and evaluation of projects.

The state department, she disclosed, has begun the process of accrediting National Polytechnics as Qualification Awarding Institutions (QAIs) to enable the institutions to implement the Recognition of Prior Learning programmes.

‘With the QAI status, the National Polytechnics will be expected to play a leading role in curriculum development, assessment and certification as well as to proceed and implement the Recognition of Prior Learning programs,’ she stated.

On the other hand, the Jitume programme seeks to provide the youth with access to digital services, digital skills and opportunities to enable them to take advantage of technology for job creation and to access international jobs digitally.

So far, the Education Ministry has donated 100 Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDIs) to the Kisumu National Polytechnic and has trained over 300 students on digital skills to help them source for online jobs.

Source: Kenya News Agency