TVET Director Calls for Standardization of Equipment to Enhance Training Quality in Kenya

The Director of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Meshack Opwora, has emphasized the need to standardize the equipment used across all TVET institutions in Kenya to ensure uniform quality in the training provided. Speaking at Meru National Polytechnic during the dissemination of TVET quality audits, Opwora highlighted the disparities between institutions under the national government and those under county governments, which affect the quality of education.

Opwora, accompanied by principals and other TVET institution representatives, noted the significant differences in equipment and the number of trainers between the two sets of institutions. He pointed out that while national government institutions are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, county government institutions face challenges due to inadequate equipment and a shortage of tutors.

“We have seen disparities in terms of quality in the training done in institutions under the national government compared to those under the county government,” Opwora stated. He further mentioned that the differences are primarily due to the equipping and lack of tutors in county institutions. To address this issue, Opwora revealed that the government is in the final stages of procuring modern equipment for 70 technical vocational colleges across the country, with deliveries expected by the end of the year. The procurement process is supported by partnerships with the Africa Development Bank and the East Africa Skills for Transformation project, a World Bank initiative.

Julius Keter, the Chair of the Technical Committee of the TVET Board, echoed Opwora’s sentiments, noting that while most institutions are performing well in terms of leadership standards, there is a pressing need to standardize training equipment. “The findings of our report are very promising. Most institutions have established and are following our standards. However, to regulate TVET effectively, we must establish and enforce consistent standards across all institutions,” Keter said. He stressed the importance of relevant training that aligns with the evolving job market and called for a multisectoral approach to achieve this goal.

Dr. Paul Wanyeki, the Acting Director in charge of standards development at TVET, reported that in the last financial year, 415 TVET institutions were audited. This ongoing audit process allows for engagement with stakeholders from both public and private sectors, as well as national and county governments, to gather feedback and address challenges. Wanyeki identified several issues faced by county institutions, including high staff turnover due to poor career progression and the need for better imaging and rebranding to attract more youth.

Private TVET institutions also face challenges, particularly with the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) not placing students in these institutions. Conversely, national government institutions are grappling with the implementation of the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) curriculum.

David Mwangi, the County Director of Vocational Training for Nakuru, emphasized the importance of the audit report in helping institutions address quality training issues. He called on the national government to fund vocational training centers, especially since some counties struggle to finance these institutions after conditional grants were converted into unconditional grants, becoming part of the equitable share. Mwangi highlighted that students from grassroots counties often miss out on vocational training due to financial constraints, exacerbating unemployment.

Chief Principal of Meru National Polytechnic, Mutembei Kigige, remarked that the audit would enable TVET institutions to reflect on their successes and challenges as they celebrate 100 years of service. The insights gained from these audits are expected to drive significant improvements in the quality and standardization of training equipment across all TVET institutions in Kenya, ensuring that all students receive high-quality education and training regardless of their institution’s governance.