Allocate more time to strengthen practical lessons

All Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions countrywide have been told to focus and allocate more time for practical than theory lessons.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu yesterday said having both theoretical and practical knowledge provides a well-rounded skill set, adding that for the success of TVET programme, the system of more practical must be in place.

“We have been doing theory but we should have at least 30 per cent of theory and 70 per cent of practical and every institution must ensure this for the success of the entire programme of TVET,” the CS said.

He was speaking during the TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC) stakeholders’ workshop and the release of the March/July 2023 Competency Based Education and Training assessment results for over 15,000 students at Kenya School of TVET in Nairobi.

“We must have this in place… on this one there is no choice. If we continue working in the old ways, we will be cheating ourselves that we are training people with the necessary required technical skills and competences yet they cannot be able to meet the standards required particularly internationally because we are producing not only for our local needs but also for the region and market outside.”

He also said the government is embracing labour migration as one of the ways of creating employment and the youth must be able to work anywhere, which can further be supported by giving them the necessary skills, which can only be obtained if they are exposed more to practical lessons.