Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions have been asked to allocate at least 2.5 per cent of their annual budget in research and innovation in a bid to develop solutions of emerging socio-economic challenges.
Dr. Fred Matiang’i , Education Cabinet Secretary has said most Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions overlook the importance of research in addressing national challenges in the social and economic sectors hence restrict the amount of funds channeled to the important docket.
“We need to make Kenya industrialised by 2030, to achieve this we must step up research that addresses local needs and open up avenue for increased innovations," Matiang'i said.
According to Matiang'i, Kenya's development pace especially in the industrial sector has been slow due to limited skilled personnel a problem that has been brought about by limitation of funds allocated towards research and innovation.
In a speech read by Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) Director Dr. Ahmed Ferej, the CS called on all education stakeholders to prioritize increasing funds to support young researchers and innovators whom he said helped to significantly transform the economies of developed countries.
Eldoret National Polytechnic Principal Josphat Sawe, said that the institution is lacking on enough facilities and equipment to ensure effective training and called for additional funding from the government and even private industrial sectors that can help mould young innovators.
“We have limited lecturers who strain in teaching our students and we have limited facilities and equipment for fully-fledged departments like the hospitality, tourism and consumer studies, this adversely affects the quality of training we offer," said Sawe.
Uasin Gishu County Deputy Governor observed that technical institutions need to be well funded to enable them put emphasis on research and innovation and address emerging challenges in the job market and contribute immensely to economic development.
“More money should be channeled to equip and train skilled manpower who can boost our economy through coming up with cost-effective innovations that will address the needs of the ever growing population. inefficiency in the industrial sector is our greatest undoing," said Chemno.
The deputy governor observed that shortage of staff in learning institutions pushes them to involve non-experts in training students hence churning out of half-baked professionals.