Mombasa Residents Urged To Take Up TVET Short CoursesWAEC records fluctuating trends in three Core subjects

Students and practising professionals in Mombasa have been challenged to take short courses offered by Technical and Vocational Training institutions (TVET) to equip themselves with practical knowledge that is up to date with evolving labour market demands. Speaking during the launch of New Dimensions College in Mombasa, Head of Corporate Affairs at Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Bernard Osero said it was apt that institutions offer tailor-made short courses that give the much-needed practicality that is in tune with the dynamic working environments. Osero said that in the context of the Coast region, institutions of higher learning should give prominence to courses that mirror the economic drivers of the region like; logistics, clearing and forwarding, shipping, tourism and hospitality as they make up the big chunk of employment absorption in the region which accounts to almost 70 per cent. 'Learning Institutions should now take up a new frontier and focus on short courses offered to specifically equip prac tical know-how on a range of subjects that will augment the conventional theoretical knowledge acquired in college and at work level,' said Osero. He added that for instance, many newly employed professionals at KPA revert to undertaking short courses for the jobs they secure to get a practical understanding of their work. A concise indication of the importance of these courses that are overlooked most of the time. New Dimensions Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anne Mburu echoed Osero's sentiments by insisting on the need to prioritize hands-on tutoring and practical knowledge to match competitive market demands. She said that mainstream tertiary education offers the foundational knowledge that forms the basis of professionalism but it should be complemented with practical courses which are offered mostly by TVET institutions. She added that the Coast region is a hospitality and tourism-driven economy which in turn institutions should tailor courses offering practical skill impact-based short-courses. Mbur u also urged the leadership and County government to step in and support local youth willing to take up these practical-based courses with the much-needed bursaries. 'We urge the government to come in handy and give especially the young people bursaries and opportunity to grasp the much needed practical knowledge to irk a living,' said Mburu. Source: Kenya News Agency The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the performance of candidates in core subjects in 2023 WASSCE for school candidates, recording fluctuating trends over the years. In a statement issued in Accra, WAEC said in the English Language 325,280 candidates obtained grades A1 to C6 representing 73.11 per cent, while 32,408 had D7 representing 7.28 per cent, 21, 153 candidates obtained grade E8 representing 4.75 per cent and 23,509 had F9 representing 5.28 per cent. In core mathematics, the statement said 276,272 candidates had A1-C6, representing (62.23 per cent), 36,373 candidates also obtained Grade D7 representing 8.19 per cent, 33, 262 had Grade E8 representing 7.49 per cent and 39, 517 candidates had F9 representing 8.90 per cent. The statement said in Integrated Science 296,466 obtained grade A1-C6, representing 66.82 per cent while 38,938 candidates obtained grade D7 representing 8.78 per cent, 26,566 candidates obtained E8 presenting 5.99 per cent and 25,029 candidates had F9, repre senting 5.64 per cent. In Social Studies, the statement said 340,867 candidates obtained A1-C6, representing 76.76 per cent, 29,470 candidates also obtained grade D7, representing 6.64 per cent, 19,616 had grade E8 representing 4.42 per cent and 26, 186 obtained Grade F9, representing 5.90 per cent. The WAEC noted that there had been fluctuating trends in the performance of candidates in English Language, Mathematics, and Integrated Science while Social Studies showed an upward trend in the performance of candidates over the four-year period. English Language in the year 2020, 2021,2022 and 2023, WAEC recorded 57.34 per cent, 54.08 per cent 60.39 per cent73.11 per cent, respectively. In Core Mathematics, the council recorded 65.71 per cent, 54.11 per cent 61.39 per cent and 62.23 per cent over the four periods. In the case of Integrated Science, WAEC recorded 52. 53 per cent, 65.70 per cent, 62.45 per cent and 66.82 respectively over the four-year period. WAEC said in Social Studies, 64.31 per cent, 66. 03 per cent, 77.51 per cent, 76.76 per cent respectively in the four-year period. Source: Ghana News Agency