Speaking about changes introduced in the TVET space, the President said many learners were previously failing examinations not because they lacked practical skills, but because they struggled in unrelated subjects such as English.
“When we were reforming the TVET space, we used to record so many failures. A mason would fail an exam not because they lacked masonry skills, but because they failed English,” Ruto said.
The President explained that the government saw the need to review the training and examination system to ensure students were assessed more fairly based on their actual technical competence.
According to Ruto, the previous system disadvantaged many young people pursuing vocational careers, especially those with strong hands-on abilities but weaker performance in academic language subjects.
He said the reforms were aimed at recognising talent, practical skills and competency rather than focusing heavily on theoretical examinations that did not directly reflect a learner’s profession.
The Head of State noted that vocational training institutions play a critical role in equipping young people with employable skills and supporting the country’s economic growth.
He added that Kenya’s development agenda requires a skilled workforce in areas such as construction, plumbing, electrical installation, mechanics and other technical fields.
Ruto emphasized that technical training should empower learners and prepare them for the labour market instead of discouraging them through rigid examination structures.
His remarks come amid increased government investment in TVET institutions and a broader push to encourage more young people to enrol in technical and vocational courses.
The government has in recent years promoted TVET education as a key pillar in addressing unemployment and creating opportunities for youth in both local and international job markets.
Education stakeholders have also increasingly advocated for competency-based assessment systems that focus more on practical ability and industry readiness.