By Gerald Mukembu
In a passionate call to action, Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Migosi Ogamba and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Principal Secretary (PS) Esther Mworia have voiced their concerns over the alarmingly low enrollment rates of young people in Technical Vocational Training Institutions (TVETs).
Their remarks came during a visit to the Meru National Polytechnic, where they were joined by the institution’s Principal, Mutembei Kigige.
The leaders urged parents to actively encourage their children to pursue vital skills training in a variety of fields, including hospitality, mechanical and electrical engineering, and plumbing.
They emphasized the importance of equipping the youth with skills that are in high demand both locally and internationally, as part of a broader strategy to enhance national economic development.
“Traditionally, many of the skills within the labor force have gone unrecognized. We are committed to promoting these competencies globally. As labor markets globally age-including here in Europe-there is a rising need for skilled professionals. We are also introducing language programs, including Chinese and German, to better prepare our youth for the job market without the need to seek employment abroad,” CS Ogamba stated.
Currently, public TVET institutions can accommodate only about 500,000 learners, but the ministry aims to increase this number to 2.5 million by reaching out to students who have yet to enroll in educational institutions.
“Our goal is to provide every young person with the opportunity to gain relevant skills,” CS Ogamba added.
In terms of funding for these initiatives, the CS assured that capitation is fully on track and that financial resources will be made available soon.
He also revealed that the government, in collaboration with the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF), is working to construct at least 16,000 classrooms to welcome the new cohort of grade 9 learners.
In an effort to stimulate employment opportunities for the youth, the government will prioritize 46,000 interns for permanent, pensionable positions in the recruitment of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers.
“We are equipping 70 institutions with essential resources, and our commitment to acquiring more equipment is unwavering. While we can’t achieve everything overnight, we are making steady progress,” PS Mworia highlighted.
To further accelerate enrollment, the TVET is actively engaging local leaders including chiefs, assistant chiefs, and county commissioners to identify and recruit young people in their communities.
“The government is dedicated to helping our youth break free from idleness and the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse through skill acquisition. We are ready to arm them with a diverse range of skills essential for a sustainable future,” PS Mworia affirmed.
The call for heightened TVET enrollment is a critical step toward creating a skilled, competent workforce that can drive economic growth and provide young people with better futures.
