Govt, Standard Group win Africa awards for support to TVET

Principal Secretary State Department of TVET Dr Kevit Desai (right) receiving the award of excellence on behalf of the Kenyan Government from Nigerian Education Minister Malam Adamu Adamu (left) during the recent Commonwealth Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa 40th anniversary and annual conference held in Abuja, Nigeria. Looking on is CAP secretary general Dr Olubunmi Owoso. [Photo: Courtesy]

Kenya has been hailed as a leading example in adoption of and investment in technical education in Africa.

During the Commonwealth Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (CAPA) annual conference last week, the country was recognised for enhancing technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

Also recognised was the Standard Group for promoting TVET.

Technical capacity

The week-long conference was held in Abuja, Nigeria, and was officially opened by Nigeria’s Education minister, Malam Adamu Adamu, under the theme 'Enhancing technical capacity and partnerships for industrial and sustainable economic development in Africa'.

Mr Adamu called on African countries to invest more in technical education and training as a basis for jobs and wealth creation.

“As a continent we should avoid over-reliance on imported technologies but instead develop homegrown technical skills through TVET, by building enhanced partnership and capacities that will increase access to technical learning in Africa," he said.

He asked CAPA to liaise with the African Union (AU) to promote and popularise TVET among the youth in the continent.

The principal secretary in the State Department of Technical and Vocational Education, Kevit Desai, represented the Cabinet secretary for Education, Amina Mohamed, at the conference.

Dr Desai said the main challenges facing African governments included matching training to employment, lack of institutional capacity and growing youth unemployment and underemployment.

He said these challenges could be addressed through TVET.

“Africa has the capacity, through TVET, to transform itself economically by harnessing its technical potential through innovations and creativity, based on competency-based education and training,” he said.

During the conference, in which CAPA also marked its 40th anniversary, the Standard Group received an Award of Excellence for its Technical and Vocational Training Journal, a monthly publication that focuses on promoting TVET.

Rewarding collaboration

The award was presented to Group Head of Corporate Affairs Charles Kimathi on behalf of Group CEO Orlando Lyomu.

“TVET institutions have enjoyed highly rewarding collaboration with the Standard Group," stated CAPA

Desai was recognised for his efforts, passion and commitment to the growth of technical education in the country, both in the private sector and in government.