Over the next three years, the government will phase out business courses in technical and vocational education and training (Tvet) institutions in favor of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) courses.
This comes as President William Ruto announced plans to hire 3,000 tutors by March to meet market demand for quality education in Tvet institutions.
Ezekiel Machogu, Cabinet Secretary for Education, urged principals of national polytechnics, Tvet institutions, and teacher training colleges to promote STEM courses. He explained the government’s plan to phase out business courses within three years in a circular to principals dated December 23, 2022.
“As you are aware, the government of Kenya has put in a lot of emphasis and resources towards the support of Stem courses in all Tvet institutions. In view of this, it is of paramount importance to ensure that the country derives value for money from the huge resources invested in Tvet for support of Stem courses,” he said.
More than 2,340 institutions, 4,604 trainers, and 11,299 programs have been registered and accredited by the Tvet Authority.
The CS urged the principals to create a plan for the phase-out of business courses within three years of the circular’s publication. He also directed that they devise strategies to increase enrollment in STEM programs.
“And ensure there is no drop in the overall enrolment in your respective institutions. The goal of this letter is to create a report on the subject matter as well as an implementation matrix that clarifies the phase-out of business courses as well as activities to increase enrollment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skill areas.”
The principals have until Friday to submit a report to the Ministry of Education outlining how they plan to phase out business courses while increasing enrollment in STEM subjects. The move comes just weeks after the government struck a major deal with Germany, which committed Sh20 billion to Kenya’s agriculture, Tvet, youth, climate, and energy sectors.
According to German Ambassador Sebastian Groth, the aid is part of a pact signed by the two governments in early December.
On Tvet, Mr Groth stated that negotiations for the next two years’ development program between Germany and Kenya are currently underway, with the latter exporting skilled labor to the former and other European countries.
Njuguna Ndung’u, Treasury Cabinet Secretary, was in Berlin, where he signed the protocol for bilateral development cooperation.
