Nairobi: The Government is set to significantly increase the enrollment figures at Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions, targeting a rise from the current 550,000 students to 2 million by the end of the year.
According to Kenya News Agency, Principal Secretary of the State Department of Technical and Vocational Education Training, Dr. Esther Muoria, announced the ambitious enrollment plan during a graduation ceremony at Kaiboi National Polytechnic in Mosop Constituency. Dr. Muoria emphasized that the government is collaborating with relevant stakeholders to expand capacity within TVET institutions to accommodate the expected surge in student numbers.
Dr. Muoria highlighted the importance of working alongside political figures to facilitate the mobilization and transition of young people into these educational programs. She expressed satisfaction that more youth are recognizing the value of acquiring skills from TVET institutions, which has successfully paved the way for local and international job opportunities.
The Principal Secretary also introduced a new government initiative to shorten the training duration for students to create additional capacity in TVET institutions. 'I spoke to the President, and he questioned why we are keeping these young people in an institution for a whole two years. So, let them come for three months, six months, and we will be able to give them a skill. If they still feel they need to come back, our doors will remain open,' she explained.
Additionally, Dr. Muoria stressed the need for secure record-keeping of graduates to prevent fraudsters from falsifying academic qualifications. She advised principals to maintain a booklet listing all graduates and secure it to help verify the authenticity of academic credentials.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, also present at the ceremony, endorsed the plan to shorten course durations, as it would facilitate the admission of more students. He noted that this approach would reduce the financial burden on parents and expedite graduates' entry into the job market.
Governor Sang also advocated for infrastructural improvements at Kaiboi National Polytechnic to align with its recent elevation to national status. He emphasized the necessity of such upgrades to support and expand the institution's capacity to serve more aspiring students.
Kaiboi Principal Abdi Tiony affirmed that the institution has adopted Competence Based Education Training across all its courses, ensuring students acquire skills relevant to both local and international job markets.