The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Dr. Esther Muoria, has issued a strong directive to reform TVET assessments, emphasizing the involvement of industry players in the certification process.
Speaking during the commissioning of a Sh. 47 million gemology equipment at the Taita Taveta National Polytechnic (TTNP) in Voi on Monday, the PS criticized the current examination model, arguing it fails to align with industry needs.
“We cannot have TVET assessments that exclude industry experts. It is the industry that knows what skills are required, and they must be part of the training and certification process. This is non-negotiable,” she stated.
Dr. Muoria further urged the polytechnic to develop relevant curricula in collaboration with industry stakeholders, noting that 50% of TVET training must occur within the industry to ensure graduates gain practical skills.
She emphasized that the institution, now a qualification-awarding body, must align its curricula, training, and assessments with industry standards.
The polytechnic’s new gemology equipment, supported by Young Africa Works and funded by the MasterCard Foundation through Colleges and Institutions Canada (CiCAN), sets it apart as Kenya’s first-ever center of excellence in gemstone identification, grading, and value addition.
The equipment aims to bridge the skills gap in the mining sector and enhance the polytechnic’s ability to produce globally competitive graduates.
“With this new equipment, the Taita Taveta National Polytechnic is now equipped to produce graduates who can meet the global standards in the gemology industry. Even if we have a University involved in this, the actual skills, the actual must do people will come from this institution and therefore it’s very important that we take this with the seriousness it deserves. This is an exciting step forward for the TVET sector in Kenya,” Dr. Muoria stated.
The polytechnic has introduced gemology training at Levels 4, 5, and 6, with 34 students currently enrolled.
However, the PS challenged the institution to significantly increase this number, emphasizing the importance of fully utilizing the facility’s capacity.
“With only 34 students now, we should be talking about 200 students to use this lab. Numbers matter,” she stated, adding that the government has set a nationwide target to enroll 2 million students in TVET institutions by June next year.
Dr. Muoria revealed that the government is finalizing a funding model for TVET institutions to ensure financial sustainability.
“We have already come up with our suggested funding model. We have done a memo, and the cabinet memo is now with the CS. It is going to cabinet before we go for Christmas so that we have our funding model ready,” she stated.
Currently, the polytechnic has 3,400 students enrolled for different programs. Dr. Muoria directed the institution and local leaders to ensure more students, particularly from Taita Taveta County, take advantage of the training opportunities available.
“I want us to realize that becoming a National Polytechnic is a big challenge. It is not just about getting the name but about doing what a National Polytechnic is supposed to do,” she emphasized.
Dr. Muoria also highlighted the broader impact of the new gemology equipment on artisanal miners, who form the backbone of Taita Taveta County’s mining sector.
Additionally, she encouraged industries to support their employees in seeking certification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program, further strengthening the local workforce.
The region boasts over 40 types of high-value gemstones, including sapphire, garnets, tanzanite, quartz and tourmaline.
However, miners still face challenges such as outdated tools, lack of training, and limited market access.
“Through this center of excellence, the local community, young men and women, and all trainees will now acquire technical training in mining practices, health and safety standards, and market access skills,” explained the PS.
She added that markets in Canada are already being explored to ensure miners receive fair value for their gemstones.
“I have just been told that we are already acquiring a requisite market in Canada and there is nothing as good as training and doing industry with an end in mind. This is a step towards ensuring that our miners earn what they truly deserve,” she said.
The PS also called for the elimination of middlemen who exploit miners, especially women, by paying them low prices for their work. She also urged local leaders, including Governor Andrew Mwadime, to protect miners from exploitation.
“To the governor, make sure we get rid of the middlemen and brokers because women, sisters of mine there and the daughters will do all the work, they will bring minerals here. We will be able to process them and then the brokers will sell them and make the money, and the villagers will remain poor. We must ensure that miners benefit directly from their hard work,” she said.
Governor Mwadime praised the initiative as transformative for the county’s mining sector, noting that the equipment would address the significant knowledge gap among local miners.
“This is not just a gemology workshop, it is a revenue generator for our miners and the county at large,” he said.
The governor also commended the collaboration between the polytechnic, Taita Taveta University, and the Ministry of Education, expressing optimism about the county’s future. “With the support of these institutions and the Ministry, we are reclaiming what we have lost for years. let us continue working together to make this vision a reality,” he stated.
The commissioning of the gemology equipment marks a major milestone for Kenya’s mining industry. The facility is expected to attract students and practitioners nationwide, fostering innovation and growth in gemstone processing and value addition.
