Gichugu Training and Vocation College (TVC) which opened its doors in September is planning an intensive sensitization exercise towards increasing the college enrollment in January next year.
The institution that currently has 274 learners undertaking different courses is liaising with the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) in their efforts to attract more learners.
Towards this end, the NGAOs met with Gichugu TVC management to develop strategies for the same as well as to promote education and improve literacy rates across the county.
In the strategy the NGAOs from Kirinyaga East sub-county will trace potential learners (those who completed school and have not joined university or middle level colleges) and also use public barazas to enlighten the parents on the importance of the technical courses.
In the meeting held at the institution, Gichugu TVC Principal Joseph Kimemia said they intend to ensure 100 per cent transition from secondary to college in Gichugu, just like the government does in the 100 per cent transition from primary to secondary school.
He noted that working with the lowest administrative units of the Assistant Chiefs, will help them monitor and follow up on pupils and students who have completed their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) to ensure they progress to the next level, adding this will also increase enrollment in the college.
“We want to bring on board all young people. Some venture into the bodaboda sector which is not bad, but with the new funding model all can access funds for education. Also, the NG-CDF has promised to support learners through bursaries,” Kimemia said.
Kimemia added TVETS is the way to go, saying his institution targets over 2,500 enrollment in January as the chiefs from the 40 sub locations have agreed to work with the college towards this target. The NGAOs will also create a mapping that will ensure they account for every student graduating from secondary schools.
“Our target of 2,500 students is achievable, if chiefs get 50 learners each as we agreed, we have 2,000 as a start. We cannot allow any student to get lost in the village,” he added.
The principal said the dedication from officers will catalyze national development and be part of Kenya’s mission to achieve vision 2030.
Muchiri Karia, senior chief Ngariama West, said they will use every opportunity available to do civic education and sensitize parents and learners on the need to join the college. He added that Gichugu TVC is the only institution in the entire constituency and they need a lot of support.
“We will join hands to organize barazas at sub-location level and also use churches to sensitize the general public about the school,” he said.
Geoffrey Kariuki, NG-CDF Manager Gichugu Constituency, said the office will offer all the necessary support to the TVC through channeling of bursaries and other infrastructural funding. He noted as residents of Gichugu, it is the time to export skilled manpower to other counties.
“We are partners in strategies to increase enrollment in Gichugu TVC so that in future we are source of people ready for job market,” Kariuki noted
He further encouragedlearners to take advantage of NG-CDF and county governments funding programmes to study technical courses.
By Mutai Kipngetich
