Form Four leavers who failed to attain marks for university enrollment in last year’s KCSE examinations have been asked to join Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to further their studies.
Experts and stakeholders in the education sector opined that the candidates can join technical and vocational institutions and pursue courses which will equip them with crucial knowledge and skills needed in the job market.
Led by Gorgeous Technical Institute Director Jackline Waithera, the stakeholders maintain that vocational courses will improve the candidates employability and help beat joblessness among youths in the country.
Waithera noted that parents and the candidates who failed to attain a mean grade of C plus, must explore as a viable alternative to university education noting that technical skills are playing a pivotal role in transforming the country into an industrialized, middle income country.
Speaking to journalists at the institution in Thika town on Monday, January 13, Waithera told the candidates that failing to join university is not the end of the road for their education journey as they have diverse opportunities to join TVET.
“I congratulate all candidates for their performance in the KCSE examinations. I however urge those who failed to attain the university cut-line to hold their heads high and join technical institutes where they will acquire vital skills that are in high demand in the job market,” Waithera said.
The Director also noted that those set to join universities can also enrol for short courses which will give them a competitive edge in the job market even after completing their varsity studies.
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“They still have time before their join university. They can enrol for short courses which will enable them work as they learn. They will be equipped with skills which can enable them to start their own income generating ventures,” she said.
“The goal is to achieve better socio-economic conditions for today’s youths as a means of addressing the challenges of unemployment and under-employment. Technical skills and/or courses are highly marketable as one can immediately secure a job upon completion and or start their own income generating enterprises,” Waithera said.
She called on the government to fund students from humble backgrounds and facilitate their technical training.
“Our MPs are welcome to partner with technical and vocational institutes to take the training in their respective areas. They can also use the NGCDF funds to sponsor the students,” she added.
The Director also rooted for partnership between the government and the private sector in promoting vocational skills in the country by assimilating trained youths into the job market.
“This is not just a role of the government but also the private sector and development partners working closely with academia,” she said.
Psychological support
Parents led by Elizabeth Mutuka and Francis Ngugi said that those who underperformed in KCSE require moral and psychological support to enable them to accept the outcome and pursue courses of their own choice in technical schools.
They also pleaded with the government and especially the legislators to support the students financially so that they can pursue the courses noting that most parents are faced with financial hiccups owing to the tough economic times in the country.
“We need bursaries and other support in kind so that we can take our children to polytechnics and other tertiary institutions. Parents are faced with hard economic times and we don’t want our children to end up indulging in antisocial behaviours due to frustrations,” Mutuka said.
By Kamau Njoroge
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