The Technical University of Kenya in Nairobi (file). Photo: Bahnfrend via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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TVET trainers issue 21-day strike ultimatum.
The Kenya Union of TVET Trainers has given the Ministry of Education 21 days to address a list of grievances or face disruption to teaching, assessments and national examinations at technical colleges nationwide.
Union leaders say the sector has been unsettled by four curriculum changes in three years, along with lapses in handling exam papers. Secretary-General Kepher Oguwi said some exam papers had been sent by email rather than sealed. "We have not seen serious exams emailed; that is not an exam. Serious exams should be sealed and opened at the same time," he said.
Health cover and transfers also at issue
The union also wants the Social Health Authority to lift restrictive outpatient caps affecting trainers. Chairperson Geoffrey Madege Obwoyele said members were struggling under the current limits. "Members are suffering under a cover where you are given Sh5,000 for one month," he said. The union further accused the ministry of arbitrary staff transfers made without trainers' consent, and non-transparent promotions and demotions.
Despite the grievances, the union praised government funding initiatives for TVET students through HELB, saying its dispute is with how the sector is managed rather than with government support for training itself. Any disruption would affect thousands of trainees, including many from Kibera, who rely on technical colleges for practical skills and certification.
This story was put together by K N N from material first published by Education News.
That was a Kibra News Network report, read by an A I voice.
The Kenya Union of TVET Trainers has given the Ministry of Education 21 days to address a list of grievances or face disruption to teaching, assessments and national examinations at technical colleges nationwide.
Union leaders say the sector has been unsettled by four curriculum changes in three years, along with lapses in handling exam papers. Secretary-General Kepher Oguwi said some exam papers had been sent by email rather than sealed. “We have not seen serious exams emailed; that is not an exam. Serious exams should be sealed and opened at the same time,” he said.
Health cover and transfers also at issue
The union also wants the Social Health Authority to lift restrictive outpatient caps affecting trainers. Chairperson Geoffrey Madege Obwoyele said members were struggling under the current limits. “Members are suffering under a cover where you are given Sh5,000 for one month,” he said. The union further accused the ministry of arbitrary staff transfers made without trainers’ consent, and non-transparent promotions and demotions.
Despite the grievances, the union praised government funding initiatives for TVET students through HELB, saying its dispute is with how the sector is managed rather than with government support for training itself. Any disruption would affect thousands of trainees, including many from Kibera, who rely on technical colleges for practical skills and certification.
KNN Newsroom is the staff byline for stories written, rewritten and edited at the Kibra News Network desk. Where a story credits an outside outlet, the original source is linked at the foot of the piece.
