By Tsozungu Kombe
Technical Training Institute Principals in the country have urged the government to pump adequate funds into public Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Institutions to facilitate establishment of modern infrastructures for conducive learning in the institutions.
The Principals lamented that many TVET institutions in the country are in pathetic conditions for lack of adequate modern infrastructure.
They spoke during the annual meeting for Kenya Asociation Technical Training Institutions (KATTI) in Mombasa recently.
The Association’s chairperson Mrs. Glory Mutungi said the government should pump more funds into TVET Institutions to rehabilitate the old buildings to enable students to learn under a healthy environment.
She further raised concern on equipment in the newly established TVET institutions noting that they are inadequate and the government should take an urgent step to address the crisis since learners may not get effective training.
“The TVET Institutions in the country are currently facing several challenges which include among others lack of adequate funds to expand the institutions and lack of Tutors which has hampered the smooth dissemination of Technical Education Training among the learners,” she added.
She also asked the government to develop a criterion to determine the promotions of TVET Trainers in the country since many have stagnated at one Job Group for many years without being considered for Promotions either.
“The move would therefore motivate the Trainers in the country, hence enable them to discharge their daily duties more effectively,” she said.
However, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Vocational and Technical Training Dr. Margaret Mwakima who was the chief guest for the meeting urged the Principals to use Institutions’ funds for the intended purposes.
She said the funds should not be diverted to other unplanned activities and warned against misappropriation of any government Funds sent to institutions saying that those found culpable of that will face the law.
She further urged the Principals to be keen enough on the Performance Contracting in their Institutions as this would eventually determine the enhancement levels of their respective Institutions, and advised them to be patient since the government has already developed criteria which will determine the promotions of TVET Trainers in the country.
“The TVET Trainers in the country have been moved from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to Public Service Commission (PSC). Your Promotions will be fully implemented”, said Dr. Mwakima.
Acting TVET Director, Mr. Tom Mulati while addressing the Principals noted that Sh8 billion is required to equip all the newly established TVET Institutions in the country, and added that the government is keen in equipping the newly established TVET Institutions to enhance Technical Education Training.
Over 200 Principals who attended the conference were also trained on Human Resource Management and Finances Management.
They were drawn from Nairobi, Western, Nyanza, Central and Coast regions which hosted the conference.
