Kabarnet AIC Academy holds successful book harvesting

By Diaz Kimaiwa

Emining Technical Training Institute (TTI) located Mogotio, Baringo established in 2014 currently boasts of 1,200 student population.

Students are for Artisan, Craft, Certificate and Diploma courses.

“We aim this academic year 2023 to enroll students for higher diploma studies” Principal Jacob Kotut said.

Kotut said students enrolling to pursue technical courses include graduates from the Kenya National Youth Service (NYS).

He said courses offered include Science, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Engineering, Mathematics, Business, Driving, Cosmetic and Hair dressing.

“All our courses are examined by National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), KNEC and KASNEB” Principal said.

In Building Technology, he said courses on offer include Civil engineering, Water and sanitation Engineering, Masonry, Welding, Plumbing, Pipe fitting.

“Soon we are going to introduce media Courses like Journalism and Photography examine by Institute of

Commercial Management (ICM)” Kotut said.

He said the college has 50 qualified members of staff; among them are qualified Engineers who are also trained to become trainers.

“We are offering quality training to our students so they can fit in the job market and also become self-employment” he said.

Fees per year he said is sh56,420 and the government through capitation pays sh30,000 per student. Parent or guardian can choose to clear the remaining balance.

“Again parents should not worry about payment because student can as well apply for HELB loan to gather for their fee balances and accommodation.” Kotut said.

Furthermore he said there are sufficient affordable hostels adjacent to the institutions, renting at only sh2000 per month to gather for students’ accommodation.

On Co-curricular activities Emining TTI is the National champions in Volleyball, Drama and Music.

Kotut noted a few challenges like infrastructure, training equipment especially in agriculture and food and beverages.

He said Emining TTI is a drug free area saying they have partnered with the provisional administration to ensure traders don’t sell illicit drugs like alcohol to students.

The principal said College performance grade is above 75 percent. “Our students also undergo vigorous training to enable them become self-reliant” he said.

The principal encourages students who have completed their courses to reach out and register for the first graduation ceremony to be held later in the year.

AIC Academy in Kabarnet town, Baringo Central collects dozens of reading materials through successful book harvesting exercise.

Dozens of story books were heaped before over 300 pupils who gathered during the unique event to showcase their learning interest.

“The initiative was organized by board of management, parents, teachers and non-teaching staff to inculcate reading culture in our school” head teacher Bernard Yegon said. Equity, Cooperative and KCB banks were among key stakeholders who contributed over sh10, 000-worth story books for the young learners.

Yegon said more funding is still needed to procure enough story books ranging from play group to grade six classes.

“It wasn't easy for the school alone to achieve the dream of acquiring the story books if it wasn't with the support of stake holders” he said.

The head teacher said contribution exercise is ongoing until enough books are acquired to benefit the learners.

The school parents led by Almaida Ayabei lauded the school administration for the noble idea saying it will go a long way to foster academic excellence.

School Board of Management

(BoM) Chairman Philip Matetai said will endeavor to cover, protect and maintain the books to benefit all learners.

“We will establish a reading competition where the best readers will be identified and awarded annually” he said.

Matetai further said the school has constructed Junior Secondary classes worth sh6million, equipped with a library and laboratory to serve the students.

Victorine Rono from the cooperative bank said as a financial institution they will always support the community through Cooperate Social Responsibly (CSR).

Event’s guest of honor Reverend Joshua Katamei urged AIC Academy pupils to stick to the school Moto 'reading is power' for a luminous future.

He thanked parents and partners for their overwhelming support.