Eldoret National Polytechnic Accredited as TVETA ODeL Centre in Push for Digital Learning Expansion
TENP Chief Principal Dr. Charles Koech welcomed the accreditation, terming it both a recognition of the institution’s progress and a call to expand access to training.
TENP Chief Principal Dr. Charles Koech receives the Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL) accreditation certificate from TVETA Assistant Director Standards Development Paul Muriithi at The Eldoret National Polytechnic, marking the institution’s official approval as an ODeL centre. Photo by James Ahela.
By James Ahela
The Eldoret National Polytechnic (TENP) has officially been accredited as an Open and Distance electronic Learning (ODeL) centre by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), marking a significant milestone in the institution’s transition toward digital and blended learning.
The accreditation licence was formally presented to the institution’s management on Friday morning by TVETA Assistant Director for Standards Development, Paul Muriithi, on behalf of the Director General.
Muriithi said the institution had met all regulatory requirements and was fully prepared to roll out ODeL programmes.
“The institution is ready to roll out the programme. It is important that TVETA is aware of all programmes an institution intends to offer through ODeL so that monitoring can be done effectively,” he said.
He further revealed that TVETA had undertaken extensive capacity-building initiatives to prepare institutions for the transition to online learning, including training of trainers across the country.
“We trained 600 trainers from 29 national polytechnics and four special needs institutions to build capacity ahead of accreditation,” he said, noting that the month-long training was conducted in partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL) and the Kenya School of TVET.
Muriithi also emphasized the importance of regulation in safeguarding quality standards in online and distance learning programmes.
“Institutions offering online and distance learning require proper regulation so that students receive quality training for what they enrol for,” he added.
He urged institutions to align their training programmes with the evolving curriculum structure to better address learner needs, particularly at higher levels of training.
“Higher-level qualifications focus more on competencies that are not strictly hands-on and can therefore be effectively delivered through distance learning while maintaining quality,” he noted.
TENP Chief Principal Dr. Charles Koech welcomed the accreditation, terming it both a recognition of the institution’s progress and a call to expand access to training.
“We take this not only as recognition of the work we have done but also as a challenge to reach more trainees. We are committed to ensuring quality training is delivered,” he said.
Dr. Koech added that the institution had already begun implementing digital learning systems as part of a blended approach combining physical and online instruction.
“We have been offering blended learning to combine physical classes with online delivery while ensuring trainees acquire competencies that can help them secure jobs locally and internationally,” he said.
TENP ODeL Coordinator Vincent Sabulei confirmed that the institution had initially been accredited to offer Website Developer Level 4 and Creative Computer Designer Level 4 programmes under the ODeL framework.
“In the next intake, we will offer fully online programmes. We are among the few institutions in Kenya that have been accredited for this,” he said.
The accreditation is expected to position TENP as a key player in advancing digital technical training and expanding access to vocational education across the country.
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