The ongoing debate of subjecting form four leavers to National Youth Service training before joining institutions of higher learning has received a major boost from a renowned academician.
Speaking on Thursday at Kisii College of Accountancy, Kisii University registrar Prof Philip Owino said the training will enable students to handle dangers that may necessarily not need police intervention.
Owino said the move was long overdue since it was practised in the 1980s during retired President Moi’s regime, adding that its introduction was not a rude shock to members of academia.
“I have been hearing a lot of debate whether to have form four leavers join NYS of not. My simple thinking is that the move should be embraced without further delay,” he said.
“Training for NYS will equip learners with basic defense skills when facing danger. We went through it in 80s and I was shocked when some individuals changed the routine towards the end of Moi era. Time has come to introduce it,” he added.
This comes few weeks after Al Shabaab terrorists invaded Garissa University College, killing 142 students and injuring scores.
“Nowadays we are having students joining universities few months after leaving high schools. NYS will make them mature and face life with confidence and that is why I am challenging stakeholders to support the debate,” he added.