By Steve Muthini
The Ministry of Education is working on a curriculum to have students in Technical and Vocational Training Institutions(TVET) to spend more time in industrial attachment than in their training institutions.
The Ministry wants students to undertake 70 per cent of their training in industry and 30 per cent in their learning institutions in line with the demands of the Competency Based Curriculum.
TVET Principal Secretary Dr Esther Muoria said the curriculum has to be reconstructed to conform to the needs of a changing world.
Speaking at Machakos Technical Training Institute For the Blind where she commissioned equipment and scholarships from Toyota Kenya Foundation, Dr Muoria said she had been tasked to deliver a skilled workforce and she was on course to meet the challenge while working closely with the Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI).
“The government is working on a curriculum where TVET students will have 70 per cent of their training in industry and 30 per cent in their institutions. The partnership between Toyota Kenya Foundation and the Machakos Technical Institute for the blind is very encouraging,” said Dr Muoria.
Toyota Kenya Foundation offered scholarship to 25 students in addition to equipping the computer lab with computers worth Sh1 million.
Machakos County Deputy Governor, Francis Mwangangi, who graced the occasion welcomed the partnership between Toyota Kenya Foundation and Machakos TTI for the Blind saying it was the right direction towards an empowered society.
“The partnership is very encouraging. This is a special donation by a special organization,” said Mr Mwangangi.
Dr Muoria said while general knowledge was important, emphasis will now shift to imparting of practical skills.
“I have challenged KATTI that we must do the right things. I have told them that curriculum has to be changed so that we teach skills. I have told them that we have to make a difference in this space,” she said.
Presently, practical and industrial attachment account for 40 per cent with theory taking the bulk of the coursework.
Machakos Technical Training Institute For the Blind Principal, Dr Priscilla Mutua, said there was need to expand infrastructure and implement affirmative action especially on students with special needs who had been integrated with other students in the institution.
Less than four per cent of students in TVET institutions across the country special needs, according to data from the department.
