Set your own examinations, Council tells TVET colleges

There is a need to review the policies governing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions to align them with global changes.

Dr Lawrence Guantai, Technical and Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC) chief executive officer, said students in technical institutions must have linkage with industries.

Guantai also said the TVET institutions should be allowed to set examinations instead of relying on the Kenya National Examination Council.

“TVETs must drop traditional approach of training students and adopt innovative approaches,” he said.  

He said trainees should spend more time doing practical learning in the job market.

“There is a need for work-integrated policy and strategy and ensure the students spend more time in the industries so that they are having skills relevant in the job market,” he said.

The technical institutions heads were also asked to upgrade equipment to march those in the labour market.

“The technical institution must recruit technicians and technologists to train students the new areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI).”

Guantai asked trainers to fully implement the curriculum, which starts next month. Harmonisation of training standards will also ensure learners are equipped with skills they can use in any part of the world.

Over 300 heads of TVET institutions are meeting in Mombasa to deliberate on leadership development and adaptation to change to enhance knowledge and understanding of rapidly changing occupations, technologies and climate change.

On Monday, the Ministry of Education revealed that student enrollment in TVET institutions has increased from 92,000 in 2018 to 320,000 this year.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said TVETs reforms are meant to align training with the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda to enable youth to acquire skills for ‘green jobs’ and mitigate climate change.