CS Ogamba rallies parents to enrol youths for marketable TVET skills

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Principal Secretary of the State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Esther Muoria have raised concerns over low enrolment of young people to TVETs.

Speaking at Meru National Polytechnic accompanied by the Institution's Principal Mutembei Kigige, the two(2) senior government officials appealed to parents to engage their children in ensuring they acquire competencies-based trainings including hospitality, mechanical and electrical engineering, and plumbing among others to aid in harmonising standards to develop the economy.

"In the yesteryears, the skills that are labour intensive were not recognised. But now we are doing this to expose and market learners with hands on skills. Their skills are of great need because in Europe their labour is aging. We are also teaching them languages which include Chinese, Germany, and other marketable foreign languages to align them from class to labour market. They don't need to go outside the country and tamack," Mr Ogamba said.

He said public TVET institutions only accommodate about 500,000 learners, adding they aim to raise the enrolment to 2.5 million learners.

“We are still to mop up students not yet in the learning institutions,” he said.

On capitation, the CS said everything is in order and the funds will be released soon.

He also noted that the ministry in conjunction with NG-CDF will have built to completion at least 16,000 classrooms to accommodate Grade 9 learners.

He said the Government will give first priority to 46,000 interns to be placed on permanent and pensionable terms on the ongoing recruitment of JSS teachers.

Ms Muoria said the government is equipping 70 institutions that will be ready by 2025.

"We will continue to acquire as much equipment as possible. We can't achieve everything today or tomorrow or by this or next year, but slowly," Ms Muoria said.

She said the state department she oversees, is doing everything possible to fast-track the young people to join TVET institutions.

According to her, TVET has a pragmatic plan to incorporate the chiefs, assistant chiefs, and county commissioners (NGAO officers) to map where these young people are and bring in substantive numbers to the institutions.

"The government is welcoming and committed to include young people to get out of idleness and instead learn and acquire skills. By doing so, they will stop indulging in alcohol and drug abuse. We are to give them all kinds of skills they require, and we will skill them in many areas," she said.