Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Education Ezekiel Machogu has said that the government is in talks with China for assistance in equipping 70 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions countrywide.
Speaking when he officially presided over the 28th graduation ceremony for Moi Teachers College, Baringo, Machogu revealed that President Dr. William Ruto will be visiting China in the course of the month to ratify the deal which will also seek to secure employment opportunities for language teachers in the Asian country.
He noted that apart from China, there are so many countries within Africa and beyond that are in need of a labor force that Kenya can capitalize on.
The CS challenged middle-level colleges and universities to train learners not only for local demand but also for global jobs.
Machogu said the government has invested Sh.630 billion this year alone in the education of Kenyans and the country must get a return for the resources that have been put into the critical sector.
“As President Ruto usually says, we must be decisive, influential, deliberate and ensure that we must come up with specific programs to ensure that all our graduates have something to do after school,” he said.
The Education CS encouraged continuing learners to study up to their highest level of education urging them not to lose hope in life as the economic condition will improve.
“When you see an advertisement for some of these foreign countries jobs just apply them because you can still work there while you are still in touch with your families,” he stated.
He called on Kenyans to support the government’s agenda saying the president has worked hard to restore the economy which was on its knees.
“When he took over there were a lot of debts, there were challenges paying bills, but the country can now comfortably pay its expenditure obligations,” said the CS.
Baringo Central MP Joshua Kandie in his remarks urged local leaders to play their role in supporting the youth to access the available opportunities in the country and beyond.
Kandie noted that the youth only need to get the requisite training and ensure they have their certificates with them since the opportune time will come.
The legislator disclosed an upcoming advertisement for the workforce for the multibillion Kirandich dam phase two project in his constituency where he noted that there are over 100 job opportunities for plumbers, excavation workers, and other cadres.
The event saw 305 new teachers graduate with upgraded Diplomas in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE), Primary Teacher Education, and Certificate in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE).
The graduation was also attended by Baringo Senator William Cheptumo, women representative Florence Sergon, and County Commissioner Stephen Kutwa among other local leaders.
By Benson Kelio/Christopher Kiprop
