The ministry of education has ordered over 3000 Teachers to go back to class in order to boost their pedagogical skills. Among the 3000 teachers to bridge their skills gap are teachers in technical training colleges, in a move to improve teaching in the institutions.

Concerning the teachers from technical training colleges, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) PS Julius Jwan said the trainers do not have teaching background and must undergo fresh training.

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“We want these tutors to be trained on the method and practice of teaching, what we call pedagogy training. Some of them only mastered technical aspects of their trade but we want them to know how to impart those skills to learners,” said Jwan.

Plans are underway to ensure that the pioneer group of the tutors begin classes on 4^th February 2021. It will be mandatory that all the tutors undergo training at the Kenya Technical Trainers College (KTTC).

Some of the tutors were recruited by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and deployed to various TVET institutions across the country.

However, most of them were transferred from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) payroll and placed under PSC. This was either though normal TSC transfers when technical and training institutions were under TSC, or when they resigned from TSC to join PSC.

In a circular to the principal of KTTC, The PS has stressed that some of the trainers do not have pedagogical skills.

“…which is a requisite qualification for any trainer to be registered by TVET Authority as per Section 23 of the TVET Act and the Trainers Qualifications Framework Standard,” said the circular.

The PS said starting January 2021, TVET Authority has granted a grace period of two years for those without pedagogy to acquire the same as part of continuous professional development.

This means trainers who will not have attained the skills may be dropped from teaching in technical institutions.

“This is part of the wider reforms we are initiating in the sector and it is important that we get it right from training,” said Jwan.

The PS said the ministry has recognised TVET as the most practical avenue for acquiring readily employable skills for the youth.

“This is why we need well trained tutors who will be imparting knowledge on the learners because we expect many students to be enrolled in these institutions,” he said.

The tutors who will undergo the training shall meet the cost, but KTTC has already made a funding request to Helb.

“Newly recruited PSC employees who are trainers in TVET institutions and other private citizens who need this training are to join KTTC for pedagogy training, which is a requirement by the TVET Act. We request Helb to assist in funding them for this training,” reads a  letter addressed to Helb CEO Charles Ringera.