The chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Julius Melly, has highlighted the critical role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the country’s development.
Melly emphasized that TVETs offer essential courses that contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth.
“TVET institutions provide training in areas that are critical to our development. These are the skills that will drive the future of this country,” Melly stated, underscoring that the institutions are vital in addressing the country’s needs in sectors such as construction, engineering, and agriculture.
Speaking in his Tinderet Constituency, he pointed out that one of the alarming trends in his constituency was the reliance on external workers, especially masons, for construction projects.
He expressed concern that many local youths are not taking up these crucial skills. “It’s worrying that many of those building houses in our region have to outsource masons. We have so much potential here; we just need to tap into it by encouraging our youth to join these institutions,” he said.
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The Tinderet MP assured the residents that the government is committed to supporting TVET institutions. “As a committee, we will advocate for more resources to be allocated to these institutions. We want to make sure that our youth have the opportunities they need to succeed,” Melly added.
In his address, Melly also touched on the financial crisis faced by Moi University, revealing that the government had allocated funds to help the institution stay afloat. “We are not going to allow Moi University to close. The government has stepped in, and we are determined to ensure its survival,” Melly confirmed. However, he stressed the importance of accountability, cautioning that any form of mismanagement would not be tolerated. “Proper management is crucial. We will not condone any mismanagement of public resources,” he warned.
Former Mosop Member of Parliament, Vincent Tuwei, also spoke during the event, decrying what he termed as “deep-rooted corruption” in the Education offices within the region.
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Tuwei accused local education officials of soliciting bribes from job seekers, particularly teachers. “There is a serious issue with corruption. At least Ksh 300,000 is demanded from those seeking employment as teachers. This is unacceptable, and we must take action against those responsible,” Tuwei declared.
The call for action on corruption resonated with the crowd, as both Melly and Tuwei emphasized the need for swift and decisive action to clean up the system and ensure that resources are directed where they are most needed
By KIMUTAI LANGAT
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