Gichugu: Gichugu Training and Vocation College (TVC), which opened its doors in September, is planning an intensive sensitization exercise to increase college enrollment in January next year. The institution currently has 274 learners undertaking different courses and is collaborating with the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) to attract more students.
According to Kenya News Agency, the NGAOs have met with Gichugu TVC management to develop strategies aimed at promoting education and improving literacy rates across the county. The NGAOs from Kirinyaga East sub-county will identify potential learners who have completed school but have not joined university or middle-level colleges. They will use public barazas to inform parents about the importance of technical courses.
During a meeting held at the institution, Gichugu TVC Principal Joseph Kimemia stated their goal is to ensure a 100 percent transition from secondary to college in Gichugu. This mirrors the government’s efforts to ensure a 1
00 percent transition from primary to secondary school. By working with Assistant Chiefs, they aim to monitor and follow up on students who have completed their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) to ensure progression to the next level, thereby increasing college enrollment.
Kimemia emphasized the importance of involving all young people, highlighting that the new funding model allows access to education funds. He mentioned that the NG-CDF has promised to support learners through bursaries. Kimemia expressed confidence in achieving a target enrollment of over 2,500 in January, with chiefs from 40 sub-locations agreeing to work with the college towards this goal. NGAOs will also create a mapping system to account for every secondary school graduate.
Senior Chief Muchiri Karia of Ngariama West stressed the need for civic education and sensitization of parents and learners about joining the college, noting Gichugu TVC is the only institution in t
he entire constituency. Karia plans to organize barazas at the sub-location level and use churches for public sensitization.
Geoffrey Kariuki, NG-CDF Manager for Gichugu Constituency, committed to providing necessary support to the TVC through bursaries and infrastructural funding. He emphasized the importance of exporting skilled manpower to other counties and encouraged learners to utilize funding programs from NG-CDF and county governments for technical courses.
