400 benefit from free technical training in Kiambu

About 400 students from Kiambu County, among them those living with disabilities, orphans, widows and school drop outs, have been given a lifeline to further their education after Women Rep Ann Nyokabi launched a Sh5.6 million scholarship project in the county.

Speaking during the launch on Tuesday, Ms Nyokabi said the program aims at improving the lives of those who were not privileged enough to go to university by facilitating their enrolment in technical institutions for short-term courses.

Nyokabi said the first batch of 400 learners have already started 4-week technical courses at the Thika Technical Institute and will undertake short courses in electrical engineering, carpentry, masonry, cookery, tailoring and weaving.

She also supported a proposal by the government to scrap the 8-4-4 system of education, saying the country should endorse a system where learners can get technical skills.

She added that teaching technical skills in schools has been hampered by a burdensome school curriculum that encourages cramming of facts and discourages creativity and exploitation of talents.

The next intake will be in August this year.