Call For Increased TVET Funding As Khwisero Polytechnic Begins Student Enrollment in 2023
The Kirinyaga County Government has requested that funding for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students enrolled in local polytechnics be increased to match that of their counterparts enrolled in national TVETs.
In a memorandum presented to the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms at Kerugoya Boys High School, the County Government stated that while students in national TVETs receive Sh. 30,000 in capitation to assist with their studies, and those in county TVETs receive only Sh15,000.
This discourages many young people from enrolling in polytechnics run by county governments.
James Kinyua, a member of the County Executive Committee for Education, advocated in his memorandum that TVETs be permitted to manage their capitation to establish self-sustaining production units that may generate cash for the institutions.
The national government was also asked to consider paying examination and assessment fees for Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) and National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) applicants to enhance the completion rate.
“Many trainees undertake the various courses offered in our TVETs, but prohibitive exam fees discourage them from sitting for the exams, thus walking out of the institutions without certification,” Kinyua said.
The county government also suggested restricting universities from implementing graduate and post-graduate programs while leaving diploma and craft certificate programs to Technical Training institutes.
Kinyua stated that There is a need for creating a clear policy on the timeline for updating the curriculum for technical education to keep up with technological advancements.
For TVETs to be able to accommodate students with impairments, the CEC stated that the capacity of polytechnic instructors must be enhanced.
In addition, the county government demanded the formulation of a scheme of service for TVET employees under Salaries and Remuneration Commission (CRC) guidelines, as well as a clear policy on the promotion and remuneration of instructors with responsibilities such as managers, deputies, and department heads.
In Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE), the county government demanded that teachers’ knowledge of the new Competency-Based Curriculum be strengthened to prepare children for the transition to Grade One adequately.
In addition, they want clear instructions on county governments’ role in registering private ECDE facilities.
“Pre-primary education is the foundation of learning and just like a sprint, any slow or false start will obviously affect the progress towards the finish,” said the CEC.
Charles Nyaga, chairman of the Education Committee of the County Assembly of Kirinyaga, has asked for the early inclusion of sign language in the new curriculum.
In addition, he demanded ongoing teacher training and an increase in funding for ECDE and TVETS.
Boards of Management for elementary and secondary schools, University lecturers’ unions, students from a subset of secondary schools, individuals with disabilities, and directors of private schools were among the other parties who provided input to the task force.
Khwisero Polytechnic To Begin Student Enrollment in 2023.
In January next year, Khwisero Polytechnic and Technical College will begin offering various technical programs.
Christopher Aseka, an area MP, stated that thousands of students would be provided with technical skills to contribute to socio-economic growth in the County and the nation as a whole.
He said that the institution would provide technical and entrepreneurial training to educate young people with the skills necessary to meet the evolving societal needs in a competitive market.
The college is situated on a 10-acre plot of land in Khwisero Sub County’s Mushiangubu sub-location.
The NG-CDF has supported the project in conjunction with the National Government, which has agreed to pay Sh30,000 in school fees for each student every year to increase access to the training.
Students may also submit a loan application to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
The university provides various technical programs, such as Automotive Engineering, Building Construction Technology, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Food and Beverage Production and Service, and General Agriculture, among others.
During his inspection of the institution’s opening-day preparations, the representative spoke with locals.
He pushed the youth to enrol in the facility and study courses of their choice to become economically independent and better their economic standing in the future.
