Boost for TVETs as China injects millions into sector

The technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector in Kenya is set to receive a major boost following an agreement between the governments of Kenya and China.

In a move aimed at enhancing skills development and youth empowerment, the Chinese government has committed US$98.67 million to the TVET sector in Kenya, underscoring growing collaborations between the two nations as far as skills development is concerned.

This injection of funding is expected to address some of the most pressing issues confronting the TVET sector, such as outdated equipment and inadequate infrastructure.

The announcement was made by Kenyan President William Ruto during the TVET 100 Centenary celebration that was held in the last week of March in Nyeri, a county headquartered 150km from the capital, Nairobi.

“Let me also celebrate that, on my way here this morning, I got news from our friends in China that they have approved another Ksh13 billion (about US$99 million) to equip 70 of our TVETS that, today, don’t have sufficient equipment. It is a coincidence that, when we are celebrating 100 years, we got news that we have additional equipment ... because, if education is the key, TVET is the master key,” said Ruto.

TVET’s place in the tertiary sector

Ruto said that incorporating technical skills into the education sector has been close to his heart since the time he was serving as Kenya’s minister for higher education during the era of the late president, Mwai Kibaki.

“We even had huge classrooms in our universities of students learning social degree courses and I asked a question then, when I was minister for higher education: ‘How are we going to align our education to be in tandem with the targets we have set for ourselves under Vision 2030 [Kenya’s national development plan], because, unless we have the men and women with skills and competencies to assist us achieve the targets of 2030, we run the risk of 2030 being Vision 3020’,” he said.

In addition to the funding by the Chinese government, Ruto also noted that Kenya’s Ministry of Education was also in talks with the government of Italy to equip 40 more TVETs in the country following talks with the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, in January 2024.

“I am very proud that, today, we have changed the perception, we have changed the branding, we have changed the place of TVETs to the place that, last year, up to 9,000 students who had been admitted to universities chose not to attend universities but to come to TVETs because it has been proven now that TVET presents an opportunity for practical skills that have significant relevance to where we want to go as a people.”

For the 2023-24 fiscal year, the Kenyan government has allocated some US$214.8 million to TVET institutions in the country and is committed to increasing the allocation until the country achieves an optimal level of investment.

Moreover, the Kenyan government is in the process of recruiting 2,000 more tutors to ensure the sector has enough tutors.

In sync with industry needs

Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga hailed the TVET sector as being in sync with market demand as it has incorporated technical skills which employers are looking for.

“It is pointless for us to continue churning out of our universities political scientists who have no skills. We want people with skill,” said the Nyeri governor.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, in turn, said that Kenya’s Ministry of Education is linking TVET institutions with industries to allow industry-ready training programmes through a dual training approach.