A visit by KENET to 10 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) Institutions in Western Kenya, from Bomet to Baringo revealed the increasing need for Internet services in these colleges. The five-day (Sep 12-16) visit by the KENET team provided an opportunity for KENET to assess the institution’s connectivity to the KENET internet as well as listen to their needs. The survey found that the increasing need for Internet connectivity was attributed to factors such as increasing student population, expansion of curriculum and facilities.

The institutions visited recorded a student population between 400-7,500. However, the numbers are on a rise and Principals of the institutions said that they would require more Internet services from KENET. The Kisumu National Polytechnic which has a high student population is well connected to KENET Internet and have smart labs which were donated by the Dutch Government. Foreign entities have also stepped in to Emining Technical Training Institute, which also has a relatively high student population, to equip their automotive lab courtesy of the Malaysian Government, and a smart lab funded by the Government of South Korea through their Embassy.

The survey also revealed that continuous training of the staff is necessary for TVETs to fully utilize ICT to enhance education. Besides the training provided by KENET, The National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) which has partnered with Eldoret National Polytechnic fund some of their trainings. In addition, KENET noted that Wi-Fi services will prove beneficial to some of the Institutions as opposed to internet services only being accessed in the computer labs. With this feedback, KENET is working to increase internet connectivity in these institutions.

Introduction of new courses and expansion of some of the TVETs computer labs and other facilities furthers the need for Internet connectivity and services. Kamagambo Adventist College which composes of a High School, Primary School and Hospital plans to offer theology and education courses once the new campus is set up. Other TVETs surveyed by KENET during the visit were Bomet University College, Great Lakes university, Sigalagala National polytechnic, Kaimosi Friends University College, Friends College Kaimosi (Kaimosi Institute of Research and Technology), and Rift valley institute of science and technology (RVIST).

The visit to the institutions also provided an opportunity for KENET to collect the core data questionnaire which most of the institutions had completed and given to KENET. The core data questionnaire is meant to give a skeletal overview on the institutions data usage, and the capacity an institution has to fulfill its ICT needs. The information garnered from the questionnaire will enable KENET to assess critical ICT needs and progress for these institutions.

TVETS have been linked in driving the achievement of the Vision 2030 which seeks to achieve national, social and economic transformation. The TVET Act 2013 intended to address the job skills issue faced in the country. TVETs could fill in the gaps especially in the informal sector, which represents 83% of the employment. Cognizant of this, KENET will frequently conduct such visits to raise awareness on the integration of ICT in education. KENET is the National Research and Education Network of Kenya (NREN) and is licensed by the Communications Authority of Kenya as a non-profit operator serving education and research institutions.