PS Margaret Mwakima. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Middle-level colleges are set to benefit following the Government’s move to hire 3,000 tutors.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Principal Secretary Margaret Mwakima yesterday confirmed that Public Service Commission will soon commence the recruitments.

The PS admitted that TVETS across the country were facing challenges ranging from a shortage of tutors and facilities, but noted that the Government was working towards sorting out the shortages.

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“The number of TVET centres have steadily risen from 51 in 2013 to 238 currently, and there is need to increase the trainers base,” she said.

Dr Mwakima was speaking when she toured Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology (RIAT) where she commissioned a driving course. She said TVETS continue to play an important role through filling the skill gaps in the communities, hence the need to invest in them.

She said her office would work with TVET heads across the country to understand the specific needs of each of the institutions and allocate necessary funds. RIAT Principal Maren Omondi noted that the institution has already worked on a vision document that would be shared with the ministry to help solve the challenges the institution is facing.

The launch of the Driving School, Omondi said, was meant to fill the skill gap in the country’s traffic department.

“Apart from creating a change in the transport industry, this course will provide the soft skills which are lacking in the normal driving schools,” said Omondi.

Samwel Musumba, the Programme Director at the National Transport and Safety Authority who accompanied the PS noted that the institution had the capacity to offer the training course, adding that the authority would make the institution a centre of excellence in the course.

According to Musumba, the country continues to face a lot of challenges in the transport sector due to unqualified drivers and riders.

“We have people who learn to drive from home and get straight into our roads. This driving school has come at the right time,” said Musumba.