TVET in Kenya

The Education System Of Kenya

The Republic of Kenya is a country in Eastern Africa covering an area of 582,646 sq. km with a population of approximately 50.95 million people. More than 70 per cent of the population are below the age of 30. The country lies on the equator and is bordered by Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan with the Indian Ocean running along the southeast border (see Figure 1). Kenya is a diverse nation of 42 distinct ethnic groups practicing multiparty democracy. Official languages are Swahili and English and the currency is Kenyan Shilling. Kenya has the largest and most diverse economy in East Africa with an average annual growth rate of over 5% for nearly a decade. The service sector is the largest contributor to Kenya's annual GDP accounting for roughly 62.3% followed by Agriculture at 21%. However, the agricultural sector engages more than 75% of the working population. Kenya ranks highest in the region in terms of Human Development Index. Its entrepreneurship and human capital give it huge potential for further growth, job creation and poverty reduction. However, rapid population growth (2.5%), unemployment (7.4%) and poverty (36.1%) especially in the arid, semi-arid and coastal areas still pose a major threat for the country (KNBS, 2018).

Figure 1.

Map of Kenya with regional boundaries

The sessional paper number 1 of 2005 on education and training classified education and training in Kenya into three distinct levels: Basic Education, TVET Education and University Education (see Figure 2). Formal schooling begins at the age of six with compulsory and free basic primary education running through to the age of 14. At the end of the primary cycle, students take the national Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination supervised by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) under the Ministry of Education. The examination is used primarily to rank and stream students into secondary schools. Secondary schooling is also free but not compulsory. At the end of the secondary cycle, students take the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination administered by the KNEC, which is used for admissions into institutions of higher learning. Higher learning is structured into TVET institutions and university sector. The university education offer comprehensive module of learning whereas the TVET education that has technical universities, national polytechnics, technical training institutes, and institutes of technology offers technical skills. Typical programs offered at these institutions are two to three years in length leading to certificates, diplomas and higher national diplomas but technical universities offer course up to doctorate level.

Figure 2.

Structure and organisation of the 8-4-4 system of education and training in Kenya

Creation And Development Of Vocational Training In Kenya

During the pre-colonial Kenya, learning was informal and knowledge was passed from generation to generation through traditional apprenticeship. Learners observed their masters and gradually developed abilities and competencies to execute required tasks. The elders were the key source of knowledge and ensured that the young generation have the fundamentals of their community and practical aspects. With the colonization period taking place from 1884 until Kenya attained its independence in 1963, the education system was more formal and influenced by European missionaries and British imperialist. The main goal was to spread Christianity and create a labor force that will exploit the natural resources. To achieve this mission schools were created to teach basic literacy and vocational subjects such as rural carpentry, masonry, rural agriculture, domestic science, arts and craft (Asiachi, 1992).