The Government through the Ministry of Education has reiterated its commitment towards ensuring quality education in technical and vocation training institutes across the country to attract more learners and make it labour market-responsive
Speaking at Kakamwe in Bungoma County, State Department of Vocational and Technical Training Principal Secretary (PS), Dr. Kevit Desai said that the Competence-Based Education and Training curriculum being implemented will match the changing needs of the labour market.
He said that technical and vocational training institutions have a huge role to play in improving the country’s national economic growth as well as participate in effective implementation of Vision 2030 and the “Big Four” Agenda.
“We want to have at least one vocational institute in every Constituency so that many students who miss out on university education can access technical education, “he posed.
This is a major shift from the past where high premium was placed on university degrees and technical skills looked down upon.
He said the ministry was undertaking vigorous sector reforms and regular campaigns to turn around the potential learners’ negative perspectives about vocational training.
The PS said that in the 2019/2020 budget, Sh.6.8 billion was allocated for the construction and equipping of 130 technical institutions across the country. Each received about Sh.50 million.
“Students who do not make it to public universities have a chance to join technical institutes to pursue courses of their choice and have a chance to further their studies once through,” said Dr Desai.
By Roseland Lumwamu
