Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions (TVETs) have been challenged to continue nurturing learners talents through sports, even as they continue providing technical skills training.
Speaking during the Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI) Mount Kenya East Region Athletics Championships held at Kaaga Primary School in Meru County, Regional Chairperson Lucy Mutembei said TVET institutions are not only centres for skills development, but also platforms where trainees can identify and showcase their talents.
Mutembei noted that the regional competitions were important because outstanding athletes would proceed to the national championships, where they could attract the attention of Athletics Kenya and potentially secure opportunities to compete internationally.
She emphasized that athletics play a crucial role in promoting good health among learners, while complementing their academic and technical training.
The chairperson explained that TVET institutions offer a modularized curriculum, where trainees study for two terms before sitting examinations and receiving certificates, adding that Level Three courses, which take only three months to complete, provide an ideal opportunity for students awaiting university admission to acquire practical skills and earn an income, as they prepare to pursue higher education.
She urged parents to enroll their children in technical institutions, noting that the government supports learners through funding initiatives such as HELB loans, capitation and scholarships.
Mutembei further encouraged parents not to leave students with lower grades at home, saying TVET institutions offer a variety of courses suited to learners of different abilities and interests. “Every child has unique talents and their future may lie in technical skills training,” she said.
Regional Sports Association Chairman Charles Rotich, who was the chief guest during the event, said the competition aimed to identify and select athletes, who will represent the region at the upcoming National KATTI games at the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi.
Rotich said sports competitions provide trainees with an opportunity to showcase their talents beyond the technical skills acquired in their institutions.
He noted that individuals possess different talents, including both technical abilities and psychomotor skills, stressing the importance of developing well-rounded individuals capable of excelling in multiple areas.
According to Rotich, sports and recreation offer viable career opportunities through which young people can earn a living.
He added that Kenya has built a strong reputation in athletics and other sporting disciplines and TVET institutions have a critical role to play in nurturing the next generation of talent.
“Sports form an integral component of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework, making athletics and other co-curricular activities essential in the holistic development of learners,” said Rotich.
By Dickson Mwiti
