Evolution of TVET in Kenya: From Then to Now

Abstract

Technical, vocational education and training (TVET) in Kenya has undergone major changes since colonialists introduced it in the nineteenth century. While the colonial government viewed TVET as a social and economic weapon against “an academic inferior” race, the present day TVET is viewed as the answer to economic and financial freedom and the solution to youth unemployment, skills acquisition, lifelong learning and fulfillment of a country’s ideal. This paper takes the reader through documented progression of TVET from the nineteenth century to the present day. The paper relies on government policies and research documents to chronologically detail the events leading to present day TVET noting that TVET has evolved in the areas of science, technology and innovation to provide skills that are expected to propel Kenya to middle-level industrialized status by the year 2030.