By Musyoka Kaliti
Male form four leavers have been encouraged to consider pursuing beauty courses in technical and vocational institutes.
Speaking during Glamourland Technical and Vocational Institute’s 3rd graduation in Embu County, the Chief Principal of Meru Teachers College Dr. Faith Gichovi said that many young men remained jobless after failing to secure university admission by ignoring such prestigious courses.
She urged parents not to choose stereotyped ‘masculine’ courses for their male candidates saying that beauty courses were not tailored for girls alone.
“This is not the time to stick to stereotypes and traditional careers, we need to diversify and know that beauty is paying now, let’s encourage our boys to take up these courses,” said Dr. Gichovi.
She added that the boy child’s creativity would work to their advantage by luring many customers to their beauty establishments.
The institute’s Board Chairman, Manase Nguu said that the stigma accorded to the few male students who take up beauty courses was dissipating as many others had shown interest to take the courses.
Professor Kabiru Gatumo said that as parents assist their boys to choose courses, they should be guided by observation of their interests and capabilities as they grow up.
He further urged the government to pump more resources to technical and vocational institutes describing them as game-changers to the communities countrywide.
ACK Church Embu Diocese Education Committee Chairman, Dr. Jackson Ngari noted that 26 vocational institutions had shut down in the area because of funding problems. He called on the government to intervene to save the future of the area youth.
He called on parents to embrace TVETs saying it held the future of the youth adding that it would end unemployment.
