Bomet County suspends graduation ceremonies, other activities in VTCs until further notice

• Bomet County has suspended all ll official functions and ceremonial activities in Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) across the county until further notice.

•  The principals of all VTCs to halt activities including graduation ceremonies, prize-giving days, award ceremonies and participation in external co-curricular competitions.

Bomet County government has ordered the immediate suspension of all official functions and ceremonial activities in Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) across the county until further notice.

In an internal memo, the Department of Education, Youth, Sports and Vocational Training directed principals of all VTCs to halt activities including graduation ceremonies, prize-giving days, award ceremonies and participation in external co-curricular competitions.

The directive, signed by County Chief Officer for Education and Vocational Training Dr. John Keter, states that the suspension takes effect immediately and will remain in force until further communication is issued by the county government.

According to the memo, any activity deemed unavoidable due to statutory, regulatory, examination or other compelling reasons must first receive written authorization from the Authorized Officer in the Department of Education and Vocational Training.

Principals have also been instructed to communicate the directive to staff members, Boards of Management and other stakeholders to ensure strict compliance.

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The county government did not provide reasons for the suspension, a move that is likely to raise questions among learners, instructors and parents, especially in institutions that had already planned graduation ceremonies and other events.

The directive comes at a time when vocational training remains a key pillar of Bomet county’s youth empowerment strategy.

The county has consistently invested in vocational education and skills development programmes aimed at equipping young people with market-driven technical skills and improving employment opportunities.

The suspension is expected to affect dozens of vocational training centres operating within the county.

Previous reports have highlighted the importance of VTCs in providing practical skills training and supporting economic empowerment among youth.

Stakeholders are now awaiting further clarification from the county government of Bomet regarding the reasons behind the directive and when normal activities will resume.

By Philip Koech