Mindset blamed as Garissa TVET enrolment lags behind funding

Leaders tour various departments to assess the state of equipment and training facilities /STEPHEN ASTARIKO.

Leaders from Garissa have expressed concern over the persistently low enrolment of students at the North Eastern National Polytechnic, despite significant government investment in technical and vocational education.

The concerns were raised during a visit to the institution, where local leaders toured various departments to assess the state of equipment and training facilities.

The delegation said while the institution is well-equipped to offer a wide range of technical courses, many young people in the region continue to shy away from enrolling.

Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed said they regretted the youth are still overly focused on white-collar jobs, despite the shrinking availability of such opportunities.

“It worries me that despite the huge investment in technical training institutes, our numbers remain very low. As a community, we need to change our mindset that the only gainful employment can come from white-collar jobs. The reality is that those jobs are fast diminishing,” the MP said.

Mohamed said numerous colleges across the county offer practical courses capable of transforming the lives of young people, but success will depend on a collective shift in attitude.

“There are so many colleges not only in this town but across the county offering technical courses that can greatly change the lives of the youth. But it starts with a change in attitude, and this can only be achieved if we collectively engage and guide them,” he said.

The legislator further noted the Kenya Kwanza government has prioritised Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a key driver of socio-economic transformation, particularly in marginalised, arid and semi-arid regions.

Students from NEP College showing some of the equipment they use  /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Mohamed highlights the growing global demand for skilled labour, noting that developed regions such as Europe and America are experiencing ageing populations and are increasingly seeking technically skilled workers.

“It is not just about the certificates one holds, but the practical skills acquired. The global job market is shifting and there are opportunities abroad for those with the right competencies,” he said.

Abdullahi Sheikh Omar, the principal of the college, attributed the low enrolment to a continued preference for white-collar jobs among youth and their families.

“I must admit that we are not doing very well in enrolling our youth in these technical institutions. This is despite the government investing heavily in infrastructure and employing qualified trainers,” he said.

Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed speaks to the press /STEPHEN ASTARIKO.

Omar urged parents and community leaders to play a more active role in encouraging young people to pursue technical skills training, stressing that the job market has evolved from a focus on academic certificates to competency-based skills.

“The world has moved from producing certificates to emphasising competency. With the modular TVET curriculum, students can acquire practical skills and certification within a short period, sometimes as little as six months,” he explained.

The chairman of the institution’s board, Adam Mohammed, described the polytechnic as a “sleeping giant” with immense potential to transform the region if fully utilised.

He called for greater collaboration between institutional leadership and regional political leaders to address existing challenges and improve enrolment.

“We need the support of leaders from across the region. The world today is about skills, and we must work together to ensure this institution reaches its full potential for the benefit of our younger generations,” he said.