Ministry plans to establish 130 new technical institutions at Sh5.3 billion

The Ministry of Education has announced plans to construct 130 additional technical training institutes.

The new institutions will be spread in all the constituencies as a measure to equip citizens with the necessary skills to end unemployment.

The two-phase programme, which is expected to kick off soon, will see Government pump Sh2.5 billion into construction of 60 institutes in the first phase and Sh2.8 billion in the second which will see 70 more institutions built.

Speaking at Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI) during the opening of its fourth international conference, Education Principal Secretary Colleta Suda said such institutions are catalysts to development.

Trend stopped

“Unlike previous governments where many Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions were converted to university colleges, the Uhuru Kenyatta-led administration has put a stop to the trend and we anticipate starting a mega construction of 130 more institutions the current over 40 in the country,” Prof Suda said in a speech read on her behalf by Isaiah Nyaribo, a senior deputy secretary in the ministry.

Suda said the plan is to ensure every constituency in the country has a technical institution.

She was categorical that the TVET sector is currently a leader in producing critical mass required to execute vision 2030.

The PS said establishment of additional institutes would also provide a solution to unemployment.

“We currently have a TVET Authority to run and manage all affairs,” she said.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago stressed the need for more research presentations on issues affecting the region in a bid to improve livelihoods.

“We need a link between research findings and the impact on our society. The move would be ideal in our quest of ensuring that we shift to middle level income,” Mr Mandago said.

Mandago said there is a huge demand for innovators in the country that will work instead of outsourcing manpower and equipment which can also be assembled locally.

“Why should we import skills such as engineers yet we have our own children who have undergone  training at various technical institutions. It is mainly because we fail to support our own,” he said.

Equip youth

RVTTI Principal Edwin Tarno said the two-day conference will give researchers an opportunity to present papers on issues affecting the public as a solution towards the growth of societies.

“There is need to put interdisciplinary approach on all institutions so that they can have a dynamic perception on issues that are important in driving the country forward,” Mr Tarno said.

Tarno also called on other counties to rally behind technical institutions in a bid to equip the youth, whom he said are among the biggest population of the unemployed, with skills.

Tarno, who is also the national chairperson of the national TVET association, lauded the efforts put in place by Uasin Gishu County in paying school fees for 600 students pursuing diploma and certificate courses.