Kenya has joined forces with Germany to implement a dual training model for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across the nation.
Speaking during the 18th graduation ceremony at Kiambu National Polytechnic (KINAP), Principal Secretary state department for technical, vocational education and training Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria said that the dual training approach will be introduced in 67 TVET institutions.
Dr. Muoria emphasized the success of the pilot phase, where trainees undergo a balanced 50% industrial training and 50% classwork.
“The Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) curriculum, fully implemented since September 2023, promotes a learner-centered approach, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” she stated.
The PS further noted that to ensure effective CBET implementation, the State Department for TVET, in partnership with the Kenya School of TVET and other stakeholders, has retooled trainers from 11 national polytechnics in CBET delivery.
“Ongoing efforts include retooling trainers from the 13 institutions recently elevated to national polytechnic status,” she highlighted.
Dr. Muoria stated that the trainers will be upskilled in using contemporary equipment provided in institutions in recent years.
Additionally, she said that despite financial constraints, the government has introduced a new higher education funding model to enable trainees from diverse economic backgrounds to access technical training through scholarships and Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans.
The model prioritizes support for the extremely needy, aligning with the bottom-up economic agenda.
The collaboration with the Ministry of ICT and The Digital Economy, TVETA, and Konza Technopolis has led to the distribution of digital labs to TVET institutions.
Over 23,000 youths have undergone training in digital skills and online jobs, contributing to economic empowerment.
Dr. Muoria commended Kiambu National Polytechnic for establishing an endowment fund, currently operating at Ksh. 7.5 million, complementing the government’s funding model.
Highlighting the evolution of the TVET sector in Kenya over the last 40 years, Dr. Muoria underscored its crucial role in producing middle-level human resources for the national economy.
By Felix Wanderi
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