TVET Trainer Recruitment Announced By Education CS

TVET Trainer Recruitment Announced By Education CS. Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Migos Ogamba has recently announced a significant boost to Kenya Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector with the recruitment of 2,000 new trainers. This move aims to address the current shortage of trainers and improve the quality of education in TVET institutions across the country.

Addressing The Trainer Shortage

The announcement was made during a ceremony at the Lake Naivasha Resort, where CS Ogamba highlighted the urgent need for more trainers in the TVET sector. This need was underscored by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, which identified a substantial gap in the number of trainers available to meet the demands of a growing trainee population.

With the recruitment of 2,000 additional trainers, the total number of TVET trainers will increase from 7,351 to 9,351. This addition aims to enhance the trainer-to-trainee ratio, which will improve from 1:30 to 1:25. Despite this positive development, CS Ogamba acknowledged that the new ratio is still below the ideal level required for optimal training effectiveness.

Impact On TVET Institutions

The current population of TVET trainees stands at 420,559. The increased number of trainers will help to better manage this large number of students and provide more personalized attention. However, the ratio of 1:25 still indicates a need for further improvements to meet the sector’s ideal trainer-to-trainee ratio.

Presidential Directive And Strategic Initiatives

The recruitment of the 2,000 trainers follows a presidential directive issued in October 2023. This directive underscores the government’s commitment to improving the quality of TVET education as part of the ongoing implementation of Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) and Dual Training programmes.

In addition to the new appointments, CS Ogamba has instructed Dr. Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for TVET, to conduct a thorough workload analysis of all TVET trainers and laboratory technicians. This analysis will help ensure that trainers are optimally utilized, avoiding issues of overstaffing or understaffing.

Continuous Professional Development

To support the newly recruited trainers, they will undergo retooling on the CBET curriculum, ensuring that they are well-prepared to implement these updated educational standards effectively. Furthermore, CS Ogamba announced the development of a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) policy. This policy is designed to keep trainers up-to-date with the rapidly evolving technological landscape, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of their fields and can provide the best possible education to their students.

Conclusion

The recruitment of 2,000 new TVET trainers represents a crucial step towards addressing the current challenges in Kenya’s TVET sector. By improving the trainer-to-trainee ratio and investing in ongoing professional development, the Ministry of Education aims to enhance the quality of vocational training and better prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce. This initiative reflects a strong commitment to educational reform and the development of a skilled and capable workforce.