NGAO urged to drive 2 million student enrolment by December

DICKSON MWITI -KNA

The government has intensified efforts to achieve its ambitious target of enrolling about two million students in Technical and Vocational Edu cation and Training (TVET) institutions by December this year, with National Government Administra tion Officers (NGAO) being tasked to spearhead grass roots mobilization across the country to achieve the target.‎

Speaking during a TVET enrolment sensitisation forum for the administrators from Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Isiolo, Marsabit and Samburu Counties at Meru National Polytechnic, Principal Secretary for TVET Dr Esther Thaara Muoria, said the government had put in place the necessary infrastructure, funding mechanisms and training jurisdictions. capacity to accommodate the targeted number of learners.

Muoria said the Gov ernment had announced a new funding model that would enable students to access financial support for their studies and repay the loans once they secure employment.

“We have to be deliberate in this mobilization. The government has created the space, developed curric ula, employed over 5,500 trainers and re-skilled many of them on Compe tency-Based Education and Training.

What we need now is to get the students into our institutions and ensure they remain there,” she said.

She challenged chiefs, assistant chiefs and village elders to work closely with TVET institutions in identifying and mobilizing eligible youth within their “NGAO officers should help us identify and bring students to TVETs while the government takes responsibility for funding and retention,” she said.

State Department for Devolution Principal Sec retary, Michael Lenasalon said TVET education is opportunity for Kenya’s industrial transformation and urged county govern ments to support enrolment drives.

He said chiefs and assis tant chiefs were key agents in creating awareness on the value of technical skills and their role in wealth creation and job opportunities.

“We can unlock the potential of our youth and secure their future through skills training.

TVETs provide a practical solu tion to unemployment and economic empowerment,” said Lenasalon.