Coastal Youth have been urged to embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to acquire marketable skills that enhance their employability, rather than engaging in indiscipline, drug and substance abuse, and other indecorous behaviours.
Speaking in Changamwe Sub-County, while presiding over the issuance of National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) bursary cheques worth Sh2.9 million to 800 Form Four students, Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development Shadrack Mwadime encouraged youth who did not attain university entry grades to enroll in vocational colleges.
“We appeal to them to join TVETs and the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), where they will acquire skills that will enable them to start businesses and secure employment,” he said.
The PS said the government is actively seeking employment opportunities for skilled Kenyans abroad, citing tailoring jobs in Australia, where workers earn about Sh80,000 per month.
He urged young people not to despair or remain idle, warning that idleness could lead them into drug and substance abuse.
“There are many job opportunities since the Kenya Kwanza administration took over the reins of power and with the Broad-Based Government now in place, more than 600,000 youth have secured employment. Here in Mombasa alone, more than 150,000 youth have been employed, and many others across the country have also benefited,” he said.
Mwadime further advised Kenyans working abroad to invest back home by establishing businesses that can create employment opportunities for others.
He noted that the government is committed to providing a conducive business environment and ensuring high returns on investment.
“Even if it means granting tax holidays, we must do so to encourage our youth to invest back in the country using the money they earn abroad,” said the PS.
Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi urged students to maintain discipline in their dressing, speech and conduct both in school and in the community.
He also encouraged them to respect their teachers to benefit fully from their education.
The MP reminded parents of their responsibility to pay school fees for their children, while assuring those facing financial challenges that they could seek assistance from his office.
He also urged parents to encourage their children to enroll in TVET institutions to increase their chances of securing both local and international employment opportunities.
“As your MP, I have always believed that the greatest legacy we can leave as leaders is not measured by the buildings we construct or the projects we commission, but by the opportunities we create for the next generation,” said Mwinyi.
He added, “Education remains the most effective instrument for transforming lives because it empowers individuals with knowledge, broadens opportunities and enables communities to break the cycle of poverty. That is why education continues to receive the highest priority within our development agenda for Changamwe Constituency.”
Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago said parents must take responsibility for raising their children instead of leaving that role entirely to teachers.
“If there are things we must change, then we must have a conference as parents and discuss how we want our education sector to be managed. We cannot tie the hands of teachers while expecting them to shoulder parental responsibility. That is not possible,” said Mandago.
“If your child has become a criminal, you expect teachers to act as both educators and correctional officers unless we pay them twice and send them to Ruiru Prisons College to train as prison officers. Everyone must play their role. As parents, we must be responsible,” he added.
by Sadik Hassan
