The government has launched a plan to hire at least 3,000 trainers in technical and vocational education and training (Tvet) institutions.
A meeting on this issue is planned for this Thursday under the leadership of Principal Secretary for Vocational and Technical Training Margaret Mwakima.
Tvet colleges include Technical Training Institutes (TTIs), Polytechnics, Vocational Training Centers (VCTs), Technical Training Colleges and any other approved educational institutions.
In December last year, PS Margaret Mwakima said the new instructors would include 1,000 degree holders and 2,000 diploma, graduates.
In the year 2020, the government appointed 3,000 teachers, including 2,000 degree holders and 1,000 diploma holders.
Dr Mawakima also ordered for full implementation of Competency-Based Tvet (CBET) curriculum this year to promote skill development.
Mwakima said this when she was addressing technical instructors under the umbrella of the Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI) at the Pride Inn Beach Resort in Mombasa during a workshop on Human Resource Management in December 2021.
The Chief Administrative Secretary, Education, Hasan Noor was also present at the function. Standard Group is a media partner.
TVET trainers win case against KUPPET over union dues
TVET trainers were transferred from Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to Public Service Commission (PSC) and were being trained as the government focused on transforming the sector to produce more young people with relevant technical skills.
Last year, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) faced a major blow when a court ordered it to deduct member dues and agency fees from more than 3,500 tutors, who are presently in the technical institutions employed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) for three years.
In her decision, Justice Maureen Onyango of the Court of Employment and Labor Relations held that no employer can effectuate any deduction of union dues unless the forms signed by the employees have been received from the said trade union and its validity is confirmed. has been detected.
“that the defendants refund any money deducted from the wages of each claimant and the persons on whose behalf they have filed this suit and remitted after that date to the first defendant on account of union dues or agency fees , from the date on which he ceases to be an employee of the third defendant,” Justice Onyango said in Nairobi on Thursday.
The decision came after a case filed on behalf of him and other instructors by Kefer Oguwi Langi, a teacher at a Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Institute.
According to Mr. Langi, despite the government shifting TVET tutors from TSC’s employment to PSC, the union continues to illegally receive membership dues for tutors from employers.
Mr. Langi said he was no more than 3,500 teachers after the transfer. About 500 other Kenyans had members.
National Union of Teachers (NAT).
However, NAT is not deducting dues from TVET tutors. KUPPET deducts 1.8 per cent of the basic salary of the members as union arrears.
According to Mr Langhi, the union was taking between Sh5 million and Sh6 million monthly deductions from tutors.
“Cumulatively, the illegal deduction amounted to Sh90 million,” he said.
Mr Langi said the respondents agreed with KUPPET illegally and continued to pay union dues and agency fees.
He told the court that the association does not have an accreditation agreement with the PSC, Vocational and Technical Training PS. Therefore, he said, the union cannot claim to represent tutors.
New scheme developed to promote trainers
“We have also developed criteria for the promotion of technical trainers and this will be fully implemented,” Mawakima said. Confirmed registrars and trainers in acting capacity.
He said that to ensure smooth functioning of the colleges, capital grant would be released soon for the students in TVET institutes.
Katti chairperson Glory Mutungi said that TVET teachers have suffered after transfer from TSC to PSC as their promotions have stalled, and many of them served in the same grade for many years, while some have died. Gone or retired while waiting for a higher job grade.
We are hoping that the document on promotion will be fully implemented,” she said.
He called for hiring more trainers to address a major shortfall in TVET institutions.
“We are also urging the ministry to expand its institutions to accommodate more students as the merit-based curriculum starts at TVET institutions. We need funds for expansion to avoid overcrowding,” she said, adding that the sector deserves its own ministry.
However, Mawakima said the government is currently focusing on completing ongoing projects ahead of next year’s general election.
Mr. Noor said it is wise for trainers to start preparing for their retirement early to avoid the mental anguish and frustration that comes with leaving public service.
The officials also cautioned the technical trainers to refrain from indulging in partisan politics during this election period.
Mwakima said that technical trainers have the right to participate in political rallies and even question candidates as voters, should not get involved in political formations and should remain loyal to the government.
