TVET students to swap graduation gowns for work attire in new directive

The traditional black academic gown, a long-standing symbol of graduation in Kenya, is being phased out for technical trainees. Principal Secretary in the State Department for TVET, Esther Muoria, has instructed all institutions under the technical and vocational framework to adopt attire that reflects a trainee’s specific discipline.

Speaking during the 6th graduation ceremony at Nyeri National Polytechnic, the Principal Secretary noted that the move is intended to distinguish technical graduates from their university counterparts. Under the new guidelines, students will no longer wear the conventional robes during ceremonies but will instead don uniforms specific to their professional skills.

According to Dr. Muoria, the use of academic gowns misrepresents the core focus of TVET institutions, which is practical, hands-on training. She argued that the current uniform dress code makes it impossible for observers to identify a graduate's area of expertise.

The directive specifies that mechanics will be expected to wear overalls, while those in the culinary arts will graduate in chefs' uniforms. This shift is intended to communicate the practical nature of technical training to the public and potential employers.

Beyond the change in ceremony protocol, the Principal Secretary emphasized that TVET institutions must start utilizing their own internal skills for development projects. She directed that any new buildings within these institutions should be constructed by staff and students from the building and civil engineering departments.

The Ministry maintains that outsourcing these tasks is unnecessary when the institutions themselves are training the next-generation of builders and engineers. This policy forms part of a broader government effort to strengthen the professional identity of technical education and reduce operational costs.

The new dress code requirements are expected to take effect in the next graduation cycle across all public technical colleges and polytechnics. Institutions have been tasked with designing appropriate attire that aligns with industry standards for each department.