President William Ruto has reiterated his commitment to ensuring every constituency in Kenya has a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution. Speaking at Kabete National Polytechnic during the closing of the 100 years of TVET celebrations, the President highlighted the pivotal role of TVET in opening doors of opportunity for young Kenyans. The number of TVET students has grown exponentially from 89,000 in 2013 to over 700,000 today, underscoring the significant impact of these institutions.
Ruto emphasized that TVET institutions have leveled the playing field for all Kenyans, providing equal opportunities for students to choose between universities and TVETs. He announced the reinstatement of the Curriculum Development, Education, and Assessment Certification Council (CDACC) to oversee student examinations, highlighting the importance of a robust framework to certify skills acquired over time.
The President urged TVET principals to collaborate with industries, ensuring that classroom knowledge aligns with practical industry requirements, thus enhancing job prospects for graduates. He also addressed the government’s efforts to support vulnerable families through scholarship loans, ensuring that the financial burden does not hinder students from pursuing their education.
A significant milestone in TVET development is the completion of a KSh 13 billion program to equip TVET colleges. Ruto expressed gratitude to Germany, Canada, and other development partners for their support in advancing Kenya’s tertiary education. He praised the partnerships for enhancing knowledge and skills acquisition, mentioning the contributions of the TVET Technical Working Group, UN Habitat, International Labour Organisation, World Bank, Germany, Canada, China, and Finland.
The President encouraged graduates to explore job opportunities created through the “overseas employment strategy and bilateral labour agreements with various governments.” The State Department for Diaspora Affairs and the National Employment Agency are key players in this initiative, maintaining databases of available job opportunities.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi echoed the President’s sentiments, emphasizing the critical role of TVET in training well-rounded individuals capable of seizing both local and international opportunities. He stressed the need for rapid progress to provide opportunities for Kenya’s large youth population, noting that the bulk of job opportunities lie within TVETs and the private sector.
German Ambassador Sebastian Groth highlighted Germany’s strong belief in the practical-oriented TVET education model, which has historically contributed to low youth unemployment rates in Germany. He outlined Germany’s support for Kenya through technical and financial cooperation, industry collaborations, and the provision of state-of-the-art training equipment. Groth also mentioned Germany’s efforts in digitalizing TVET institutions in partnership with France, Finland, and Canada, and the upcoming labour migration mobility agreement between Germany and Kenya.
Principal Secretary for TVETs Esther Muoria commended TVET principals for driving the sector in the right direction, expressing confidence in the transformative impact of TVET on both local and international stages.
The Kabete National Polytechnic, established in 1924 to support the Kenya-Uganda railway, stands as Kenya’s oldest training institution, symbolizing a century of vocational training excellence.
In conclusion, President Ruto’s commitment to expanding and equipping TVET institutions reflects a broader vision of equalizing opportunities and empowering Kenya’s youth with practical skills for the future. The support from international partners and the strategic focus on industry collaboration further solidifies TVET’s role in Kenya’s educational and economic landscape.
