Kenya is implementing far-reaching reforms across the education sector aimed at strengthening competence, productivity and relevance, Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos Ogamba has said.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Dr. Esther Muoria, during the first graduation ceremony at Ugenya Technical and Vocational College, Ogamba said the shift towards Competency-Based Education and Competency-Based Training is intended to ensure learners acquire practical skills applicable in society and the economy.
He noted that the Ministry of Education continues to strengthen alignment between basic education, TVET and university education through the Kenya National Qualifications Framework to support seamless progression across learning pathways.
“We now have a policy, the Kenya Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (KCATS), developed together with universities, where one can transfer credits progressively earned all the way to Doctor of Philosophy level,” he said.
Ogamba challenged TVET graduates to pursue higher education and continue sharpening their skills to remain competitive in the labour market.
He observed that demand for technically competent workers continues to grow both locally and internationally across all sectors, urging TVET institutions to shift focus from training for certification to training for competence.
“The success of TVETs must not simply be measured by enrolment and graduation numbers but by whether graduates possess the competence required by industry and whether they can create enterprises, improve productivity and solve real-world challenges,” said Ogamba.
Ugenya Member of Parliament David Ochieng challenged the institution to introduce foreign languages such as Spanish, Chinese, German and French to enhance graduates’ competitiveness in the global labour market.
He said proficiency in foreign languages would make it easier for graduates to secure employment abroad through government-supported labour mobility programmes.
Ochieng also hailed the government for expanding technical and vocational institutions closer to communities, saying the move has enabled more youths to access skills training.
“Among the graduands here today are people who had resigned to fate and had already settled into marriage. We had to convince them that marriage is only the beginning of life and that they could still join TVETs and acquire skills,” he said.
During the ceremony, 717 students graduated in various technical and vocational disciplines.
Dr. Muoria commended the graduands for completing their studies and urged them to use the acquired skills to transform their lives and contribute to national development.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening TVET institutions through improved infrastructure, curriculum reforms and partnerships with industry players to ensure graduates remain relevant in the job market.
By Philip Onyango
