Business Courses in TVETs to be Fade Out under New Government Plan.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu advised all national polytechnics, Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (TVETs) institutions, and teacher training colleges to boost Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs.
In a circular to school administrators dated December 23, 2022, he detailed the government’s aim to eliminate business courses within three years.
“As you are aware, the Government of Kenya has put in a lot of emphasis and resources towards the support of STEM courses in all Tvet institutions,
“In view of this, it is of paramount importance to ensure that the country derives value for money from the huge resources invested in TVET for support of STEM courses,” he stated.
The CS requested principals to establish a plan for the elimination of business courses within three years of the circular’s release.Additionally, he directed them to devise plans to increase enrolment in STEM programs.
“Ensure there is no drop in the overall enrolment in your respective institutions.
“The purpose of this letter is to make a report on the subject matter and an implementation matrix clarifying the phasing out of the business courses and the activities to increase the enrolment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skill areas,” he added.
On November 21, 2022, Machogu urged TVET principals to adhere to the Ministry of Education’s directives regarding the provision of technical courses.
“I do not want our TVETs to dilute their programmes with other courses like Business. The government is supporting TVETs to absorb the majority of students who do not qualify to join universities,” Machogu remarked.
The CS’s years were made against the backdrop of government intentions to hire at least 3,000 trainers for TVET colleges in response to a recent increase in the number of students enrolling in these institutions.The government considers TVET training to be a good complement for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which is phasing the popular 8-4-4 system.
CBC emphasizes the cultivation of actual skills over the accumulation of diplomas based on theoretical learning.
As a result, the government has increased its emphasis on technical colleges in an effort to increase the labor market with craftsmen and technicians.
Principals have until January 6 to submit a report to the Ministry of Education detailing how they will phase out business courses and increase STEM enrolment.
Business Courses in TVETs to be Fade Out under New Government Plan