Magoha wants TVET institutions to avoid being examination-oriented
Prof. George Magoha, Cabinet Secretary for Education, has urged tutors in Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions (TVETS) to make a paradigm shift from theory-based examination to practical solutions to real-life challenges.
Speaking at the Kisumu National Polytechnic’s 9th graduation ceremony yesterday, the CS urged TVET tutors to focus on providing learners with essential skills.
This he said, is to ensure that when students graduate, they will not have to look for jobs, but jobs will find them.
He said polytechnics must no longer be places where cabro blocks are laid or laboratories and libraries are built, but must now have plants producing their own brands to sell to the public.
According to Magoha, the practice of students regurgitating theories while working in laboratories with their teachers should be discontinued.
“I encourage teachers to stop it and allow learners to get their hands on it. There must not be any friendship on training. For the past 30 years, I never heard of buildings collapsing until recently, so our tutors must ensure those they train are better,” he said.
He added: “The most competent surgeons I trained did not like my face but now I think they respect me,” he said.
At the same time, the CS urged Kenyans to embrace TVET learning and abandon their negative attitudes toward the institutions.
PS Vocational Training, Dr. Margaret Mwakima
“As we train, we should stop this tendency of going to the university.“ He said adding that every job has its moments of glory.
Magoha noted that Universities have been producing graduates with papers who have been looking for work for 10 to 20 years in the last ten years.
He informed students that they are not being trained to work in Kenya, but rather in a world where skilled personnel are in short supply.
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According to Magoha, there is a global shortage of plumbers, but in Kenya, the shortage is linked to mindset, and plumbers here now feel out of place.
"I want to encourage you to enjoy what you do and change the mindset,” he added.
There are now 10,041 students and 265 trainers in the program.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyongo’ stated that TVET is an important component in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Kenya.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o
Magoha wants TVET institutions to avoid being examination-oriented
