Kenya has discussed possible fourth phase of TVET cooperation with China, Education Secretary says

Kenya has discussed a possible fourth phase of its vocational training cooperation with China, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said in an interview published by Xinhua on 13 October.

Ogamba said Chinese-supplied equipment is installed in most Kenyan technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions. China also trains Kenyan technicians to operate the equipment after delivery, and the cooperation includes technology transfer, Xinhua reported.

Xinhua said the fourth phase would widen coverage and standardise equipment. Ogamba said the government will continue the partnership "because it has borne fruit".

Xinhua reported that China has partnered with some Kenyan institutions to build model centres for training, production and innovation. Students from other institutions can join exchange programmes there.

Kenya can draw on China's experience rather than start from scratch, Ogamba said in the interview. China has dropped some programmes the market does not need, he said, and Kenya should study the skills the market requires and adjust its curricula accordingly.

He said advances such as artificial intelligence could make some equipment obsolete quickly, so Kenya should work with China and other countries to raise TVET standards at an affordable cost.

Some Kenyans see TVET as "a second-rate program", Ogamba said, and he wants to remove that stigma.

He said he looks forward to the World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference in Tianjin, China, as a chance to share experience and learn from countries with mature systems.

Cabinet approved Phase III of the Kenya-China Project on 10 February, the news website Kenyans.co.ke reported on 11 February. The phase is to equip 70 TVET colleges across eight priority technical disciplines and train 1,190 TVET instructors to deliver competency-based education and training.

Xinhua published an earlier interview on 17 August with Esther Thaara Muoria, principal secretary of the State Department for TVET in the Ministry of Education. The Kenya-China TVET project was launched in 2010 and is in its third phase, the agency reported.

Xinhua reported that the training will take place in Kenya and China, and that an innovation centre for training, production, innovation and technology transfer is to be set up at Kabete National Polytechnic. Muoria said the training will ensure the equipment is operated effectively and sustainably.

Xinhua reported that graduates are finding work in manufacturing, engineering, energy, transport and renewable energy, including with Chinese enterprises in Kenya.