Three Youth Polytechnics
The aim of the three youth polytechnics polytechnic is to provide technical training for youth who for various reasons, mainly academic ability and poverty, cannot attend secondary school. The three polytechnics in this partnership include Ithiani YP, Matinyani YP and Kathivo YP. The polytechnics aim to attract more students and raise the standards of the carpentry, masonry, metal work, and tailoring & dressmaking department. Thus providing training for this sector of rural youth and thus increasing their employment prospects
All the three youth polytechnics were established in the 1980s with financial assistance from the Kenya government and from the local communities. The sources of funds for many of the youth polytechnics in Kenya have been reduced since 1993. The relevant ministry now only gives very limited grants which are used to pay some instructors salaries. Money for tools and equipment has to come from the trainees fees (currently Ksh 1800 per student per year), contract work and fundraising from the local community. Most polytechnics are therefore struggling for funds.
Kathivo YP consists of a single block of workshops, which include Carpentry, Masonry, and Tailoring. There is a kitchen and a shaded area forms the dining area. There is another block, which comprises the manger’s office, the deputy manager’s office and a staff room. Kathivo YP is a day polytechnic.
Ithiani YP has four classrooms. A carpentry classroom, masonry, dressmaking first years and dress making second years. The administration block has the manager’s office, a spacious staff room and a store. There are two dormitories, one for girls and the other for boys. The girl’s dormitory has a capacity of accommodating 30 but there are only 8 girls boarding. The block with boy’s dormitory has a store, which will be converted, into a classroom next year. The polytechnic has a kitchen but has no dining hall.
Matinyani YP has two blocks on the compound. The main block consists of the four workshops for the four trades that6 are offered at the YP. The other block has the manager’s office and the staff room. There are two dormitories for girls and for boys on the compound. There is also a small kitchen and a dinning area for the students. The compound is fenced round and is very clean. The polytechnic does not have staff houses on the compound and most of the instructors reside at the local market.
All the three YPs have limited tools for their trainees and most have been through donations with some also purchased from the fees paid by the trainees. He tools available include sewing machines, masonry and some basic carpentry tools.
Over the last two years, these three polytechnics have targeted the improvement of the standards of training offered in all sections by strengthening the overall management capacity and general standards of the institutions. In order to dilute the dependence on fees collection as the only source of income, especially in a dry and drought stricken area, the YPs must now start to generate income and plan for long term sustainability.
Unemployment is one of Kenya’s most pressing problems. By working with the youth polytechnics the volunteer can actively support the training of the local youth by providing access to skilled trade and therefore increasing the opportunities for employment.
All the three youth polytechnics were established in the 1980s with financial assistance from the Kenya government and from the local communities. The sources of funds for many of the youth polytechnics in Kenya have been reduced since 1993. The relevant ministry now only gives very limited grants which are used to pay some instructors salaries. Money for tools and equipment has to come from the trainees fees (currently Ksh 1800 per student per year), contract work and fundraising from the local community. Most polytechnics are therefore struggling for funds.
Kathivo YP consists of a single block of workshops, which include Carpentry, Masonry, and Tailoring. There is a kitchen and a shaded area forms the dining area. There is another block, which comprises the manger’s office, the deputy manager’s office and a staff room. Kathivo YP is a day polytechnic.
Ithiani YP has four classrooms. A carpentry classroom, masonry, dressmaking first years and dress making second years. The administration block has the manager’s office, a spacious staff room and a store. There are two dormitories, one for girls and the other for boys. The girl’s dormitory has a capacity of accommodating 30 but there are only 8 girls boarding. The block with boy’s dormitory has a store, which will be converted, into a classroom next year. The polytechnic has a kitchen but has no dining hall.
Matinyani YP has two blocks on the compound. The main block consists of the four workshops for the four trades that6 are offered at the YP. The other block has the manager’s office and the staff room. There are two dormitories for girls and for boys on the compound. There is also a small kitchen and a dinning area for the students. The compound is fenced round and is very clean. The polytechnic does not have staff houses on the compound and most of the instructors reside at the local market.
All the three YPs have limited tools for their trainees and most have been through donations with some also purchased from the fees paid by the trainees. He tools available include sewing machines, masonry and some basic carpentry tools.
Over the last two years, these three polytechnics have targeted the improvement of the standards of training offered in all sections by strengthening the overall management capacity and general standards of the institutions. In order to dilute the dependence on fees collection as the only source of income, especially in a dry and drought stricken area, the YPs must now start to generate income and plan for long term sustainability.
Unemployment is one of Kenya’s most pressing problems. By working with the youth polytechnics the volunteer can actively support the training of the local youth by providing access to skilled trade and therefore increasing the opportunities for employment.
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