Nairobi, 13th March 2020 – Experts from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Authorities from Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania have called for fast-tacking the harmonisation of curriculum, qualifications and occupational standards, among the three countries to allow student mobility within the region. The call was made at the end of a three-day meeting of TVET Authorities to kick-start the harmonisation process.
Speaking at the end of the Regional TVET Authorities Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, the Principal Secretary, State Department of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Ministry of Education, Kenya, Dr. Julius O. Jwan, said skills development for youth employment is an important agenda for African governments. “TVET should be at the heart of every education system. It should be looked at as a pathway for skills development,” Dr. Jwan Said. “We want every students at every level of education to have acquired a skill that can lead to employment,” he added.
The Deputy Executive Secretary, Inter University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), Prof. Mike Kuria, said, the harmonisation of TVET qualifications, curriculum and standards will facilitate mobility of skilled labour among the three countries.”
Prof. Kuria emphasised the need to include private sector participation in developing the curriculum, setting occupational standards and to benchmark on international best practices to develop graduates with the necessary skills for the job market.
As part of the fast-tracking process, participants recommended setting up a technical working committee comprising technical representatives from Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat to oversee the harmonisation process.
Participants recommended to co-opt to the Committee members from international agencies such as UNESCO and ILO with expertise in TVET so that the qualifications framework and the curriculum are aligned to international standards. It is expected that the Harmonization Framework will consider the current status of the member states and develop the Qualifications structure based on findings from the situational analysis. The technical working committee is expected to start work immediately.
The regional meeting was supported by the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP) funded by the World Bank and the three participating countries to project, namely, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. The broad objectives of the project is to increase access and improve the quality of TVET programs in the selected 16 Regional Flagship TVET Institutes and to support regional integration.
Notes to Editors
- The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) is the Regional Facilitation Unit for the World Bank-funded East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP).
- EASTRIP is funded by the governments of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania and the World Bank to increase access and improve the quality of TVET programs in 16 regional flagship TVET Centres of Excellence and to support regional integration.
- The project supports the development of highly specialized TVET programs at diploma and degree levels for training of technicians and TVET faculty, as well as industry recognized short-term training, targeting regional priority sectors in transport, energy, manufacturing, and ICT.
For further information, please contact
Godwin Bonge Muhwezi at: gmuhwezi@iucea.org