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Senator Boni Khalwale has opposed plans to elevate Eregi Teachers Training College (TTC) in Ikolomani into a university constituent college, arguing that the country should preserve institutions dedicated to teacher training.
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His remarks come as efforts to upgrade Eregi TTC continue to gain momentum. A taskforce established to assess the institution’s suitability for elevation reported that the college has approximately 70 per cent of the infrastructure required for university status.
Kakamega county Senator Boni Khalwale has opposed plans to elevate Eregi Teachers Training College (TTC) in Ikolomani into a university constituent college, arguing that the country should preserve institutions dedicated to teacher training.
The proposal, championed by the Kakamega County Government led by Governor Fernandes Barasa and Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, seeks to transform Eregi TTC into a constituent college of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).
Speaking on the matter, Khalwale said the conversion of teacher training colleges into universities could undermine specialized teacher education, noting that such institutions play a critical role in preparing educators for the country’s schools.
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The senator further maintained that those interested in establishing a university should acquire land and develop a new institution instead of converting an existing teacher training college.
His remarks come as efforts to upgrade Eregi TTC continue to gain momentum. A taskforce established to assess the institution’s suitability for elevation reported that the college has approximately 70 per cent of the infrastructure required for university status.
According to the report, the institution sits on about 52 acres of land and has classrooms, laboratories, staff quarters and other facilities capable of accommodating up to 3,000 first-year students.
County officials have defended the proposal, saying the upgrade would expand access to higher education and enhance economic development in Ikolomani and the wider Kakamega region.
MMUST has also expressed support for the initiative, with the university’s leadership indicating that it is prepared to mentor Eregi TTC as a constituent college before its eventual transition into a fully-fledged university.
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The county government and MMUST have already conducted inspections and submitted the necessary proposals to the Commission for University Education (CUE) for consideration.
In a recent visit to the institution, Principal Secretary for Higher Education Beatrice Inyangala expressed satisfaction with the college’s level of preparedness, saying key requirements for the proposed transition had been met.
The proposal now awaits regulatory approval, with supporters citing the institution’s existing infrastructure and strategic location as key strengths. However, Khalwale’s opposition has added a new dimension to the debate, highlighting concerns over the future of teacher training colleges as Kenya continues to expand access to university education.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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