Mombasa: Coastal Youth have been urged to embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to acquire marketable skills that enhance their employability, rather than engaging in indiscipline, drug and substance abuse, and other indecorous behaviours. Speaking in Changamwe Sub-County, while presiding over the issuance of National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) bursary cheques worth Sh2.9 million to 800 Form Four students, Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development Shadrack Mwadime encouraged youth who did not attain university entry grades to enroll in vocational colleges.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mwadime emphasized the importance of TVETs by stating, “We appeal to them to join TVETs and the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), where they will acquire skills that will enable them to start businesses and secure employment.” He highlighted the government’s efforts in seeking employment opportunities for skilled Kenyans abroad, including tailoring jobs in Australia, where workers can earn about Sh80,000 per month. Mwadime warned against idleness, linking it to drug and substance abuse, and urged young people to remain hopeful and proactive in seeking skills and jobs.
The Principal Secretary mentioned that since the Kenya Kwanza administration took power, over 600,000 youth have secured employment, with more than 150,000 youth employed in Mombasa alone. He also encouraged Kenyans working abroad to invest back home, creating employment opportunities for others, and assured them of a conducive business environment with potential tax holidays to encourage investment.
Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi emphasized discipline among students in their dressing, speech, and conduct, both in school and the community. He reminded parents of their responsibility to pay school fees and encouraged them to enroll their children in TVET institutions to enhance their employment prospects. Mwinyi stated, “Education remains the most effective instrument for transforming lives because it empowers individuals with knowledge, broadens opportunities and enables communities to break the cycle of poverty.”
Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago underscored the role of parents in raising their children, advocating for a conference to discuss the management of the education sector. Mandago stressed that teachers cannot be expected to take on parental responsibilities and called for shared responsibility between parents and educators.
