Students from various Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutes across Kenya gathered at Nyeri National Polytechnic on March 26 to witness the launch of the TVET@100 Torch and Flame.
The event witnessed an overwhelming turnout of both public and private TVET institutions in the country and a host of non-State actors involved in TVET matters.
The main aim of the celebrations is to reflect on the position of TVET 100 years on, take stock of the milestones achieved, and explore concrete approaches to position it to respond to the labour market and societal needs.
The celebrations kicked off with the launching of the TVET Flame by President William Ruto, which signifies the spirit of innovation and creativity in the sub-sector.
The centenary flame is a manifestation of the symbolism of fire; arousing and inspiring an emotional feeling and thus creating a link between the ancient and the modern TVET.
The flame took a 4-month journey around the country through all the 47 counties, and back to the cradle institution – The Kabete National Polytechnic.
The mode of transport was mainly on foot by runners (TVET trainees & practitioners), and a combination of other forms of transport.
In the course of the relay, the flame would announce the rebranded TVET and spread the message of hope for a decent livelihood through skills acquisition.
During the event at the Nyeri National Polytechnic, there was a beehive of activity at the exhibition centres as students showcased their skills in various competitions.
Moses Mugweru, a 3rd-year student at Nyeri National Polytechnic, who was competing in a sewing competition, said the event provided an opportunity for students from different technical colleges to interact and exchange ideas.
“The competition not only showcased the talent and craftsmanship of the students but also emphasized the importance of practical skills in technical education. Participants demonstrated their sewing prowess and innovative approaches to skirt stitching, impressing both judges and spectators,” he said.
President William Ruto said the recruitment of 2,000 TVET tutors is underway, with a view to bringing the total number under the BETA programme to 4,000.
“By 2022, fifty two constituencies did not have TVET institutions. We pledged to
ensure that every constituency has at least one fully-equipped TVET within 2 years of assuming office. As we celebrate 100 years of TVET in Kenya, I am delighted to confirm that we have 24 national polytechnics across the country, 13 of which were recently upgraded, and 272 technical and vocational colleges, with 16 scheduled to be completed in the 2024/2025 financial year,” he said.
Jitume centres
The president added that with the 113 Jitume centres across the country, the youth have the opportunity to access decent employment opportunities where they can work for employers anywhere in the world without leaving their homes.
“In total, 10,780 digital devices have been installed in these centres, and 370 tutors from various TVET centres have been trained to support the Jitume programme,” he said.
The celebrations culminate in a three-day national conference at the Kabete National Polytechnic.
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