Meru: The government has intensified efforts to achieve its ambitious target of enrolling about two million students in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions by December this year, with National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) being tasked to spearhead grassroots mobilization across the country to achieve the target.
According to Kenya News Agency, during a TVET enrolment sensitisation forum at Meru National Polytechnic, Principal Secretary for TVET, Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, stated that the government had established the necessary infrastructure, funding mechanisms, and training capacity to accommodate the targeted number of learners. Dr. Muoria emphasized the new funding model announced by the President, which will provide students with financial support for their studies and require them to repay the loans once employed.
Dr. Muoria highlighted that TVET enrolment had grown significantly from about 250,000 students when the current administration took office, and the government is determined to hit the two-million mark by the end of the year. She called on chiefs, assistant chiefs, and village elders to collaborate with TVET institutions in identifying and mobilizing eligible youth within their areas.
State Department for Devolution Principal Secretary, Michael Lenasalon, called TVET education a golden opportunity for Kenya’s industrial transformation and urged county governments to support enrolment drives. He noted the critical role of chiefs and assistant chiefs in raising awareness about the value of technical skills.
Meru County Commissioner, George Omolo, assured the support of NGAO officers in achieving the enrolment target, recognizing youth unemployment as a significant concern. He stressed the importance of mobilizing young people to join TVET institutions as a way to offer real opportunities and keep them away from social vices.
Principal Secretary for Forestry, Gitonga Mugambi, underscored the necessity of skills development for industry creation and employment generation. He pointed out that affordable housing alone has created more than 600,000 jobs through skills acquired in TVET institutions.
Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Alice Kande, committed to ensuring that qualifications from TVET institutions remain credible and capable of supporting career progression. She highlighted the transformative Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme that certifies existing skills.
Gideon Kimathi, representing the Office of the Deputy President, encouraged NGAO to familiarize themselves with TVET programmes to effectively guide prospective learners. He emphasized the demand for skilled workers in Kenya’s growing construction sector.
The forum showcased success stories from TVET institutions, including value-addition initiatives, highlighting the potential of technical training in job creation and industrial growth. Stakeholders concluded that sustained mobilization, adequate funding, and community sensitization are crucial to achieving the two-million TVET enrolment target and accelerating Kenya’s industrialisation journey.
