Cabinet Education Secretary Prof. Magoha has urged the tutors of technical and vocational education and training institutes to make a paradigm shift from theory-based examination to practical solutions to real-life challenges.
Speaking at the 9th graduation ceremony of Kisumu National Polytechnic yesterday, CS urged TVET tutors to focus on imparting essential skills to the learners.
He said this is to ensure that when students graduate, they will not have to look for jobs, but will get jobs.
He said that polytechnics should no longer be the place where Cabro blocks are kept or laboratories and libraries are built, but should now be plants producing their own brands to sell to the public.
According to CS. Magoha, this practice of students reinventing theories while working in laboratories with their teachers must stop.
“I encourage teachers to stop this and allow learners to get their hands on it. Training should not be a friendship. For the past 30 years, I never heard of buildings collapsing, so until recently Our tutors should ensure that they are better,” he said.
He also said: “The most competent surgeons I’ve trained didn’t like my face but now I feel they respect me,” he said.
At the same time, CS urged Kenyans to adopt TVET learning and drop their negative attitude towards institutions.
“We must stop this tendency to go to university as soon as we train.” He said that every work has its proud moments.
Magoha mentioned that universities are producing graduates who are looking for work for 10 to 20 years in the last ten years.
He told the students that they were not being trained to work in Kenya, but in a world that lacks skilled personnel.
According to CS. Magoha, there is a global shortage of plumbers, but in Kenya, shortage is linked to mindset, and plumbers here now feel out of place.
“I want to encourage you to enjoy what you do and change the mindset,” he said.
The program currently has 10,041 students and 265 instructors.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o said that TVET is an important component in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Kenya.
