Vocational training institutions have devised ways to impart tertiary skills to the youth in the villages, who are unable to enrol in the government institutions owing to various hurdles.
Besides offering them various artisan skills, vocational centres have incorporated indigenous knowledge in an effort to preserve rich culture threatened by extinction.
One such centre has been established in Laikipia in a partnership between Laikipia North Technical and Vocational College and Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation (IMPACT), Community based organization to reach out to the vulnerable groups.
Speaking during the first cohorts of 47 youths, who have graduated from Maiyanat Indigenous Youth Life Skills and Cultural Development Centre in Laikipia North Sub- County, Jason Njane, Head of the Institution, said that incorporating indigenous knowledge in the curriculum would ensure it passed on to the next generation.
“We have realised local communities are rich with indigenous knowledge, which have remained largely untapped and undocumented, which we have incorporated in our curriculum,” said Njane.
He added that “Some of our traditional practices are able to be passed from one generation to another, including cultural heritage issues, ancient agricultural practices and herbal medicine.’’
He revealed that indigenous knowledge acquired from the elders who have been in the forefront in supporting them develop and document it.
“We have a very exciting concept because we determine the skills that are needed in a particular area and therefore, the skills are market driven, they meet the demand of the local communities,” said Njane.
IMPACT official Elizabeth Silakan, said that there was a low number of youths, especially from pastoralist communities transitioning to tertiary institutions.
“This Centre (Maiyanat Indigenous Youth Life Skills and Cultural Development Centre) came in to fill in the gap of low education rate in northern Kenya. Majority of youth don’t have formal learning and we are giving them an opportunity because we believe they can equally contribute to the economy,” said Ms Silakan.
She pointed out that they supported the Morans and girls in acquiring hands-on skills including plumbing, hairdressing, masonry, carpentry, electrical among others to the youth regardless of their education level.
“We have an innovative approach, if you didn’t have formal education due lack of school fees or other economic hurdles, we offer opportunities to learn in this pastoral landscape,” highlighted Ms Silakan.
Thomas Sukurian, a moran and one of the students who graduated from Maiyanat Indigenous Youth Life Skills and Cultural Development Centre with hairdressing course said that he targeted to start his own salon business to generate income for his family. The 47 graduates further benefitted with empowerment tools to jumpstart their lives.
Jane Mungai, a parent, applauded IMPACT for supporting the establishment of a learning centre for their children revealing it had relieved the burden of school fees and ensured that youth acquired life changing skills.
The vocational colleges were established by the state a decade ago across the country, to offer technical skills to the large youthful population.
However, enrolment has remained low due to budgetary constraints within the institutions, their remote physical location with no boarding facilities provided with the majority of the trainees opting to attend private colleges within urban areas.
By Muturi Mwangi
