The government has made a major change regarding how technical graduates dress during their graduation ceremonies. Education Principal Secretary Esther Muoria has announced that students from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions will no longer wear traditional graduation gowns.
According to the PS, the long gowns and caps have been used for too long to celebrate academic courses, not practical skills. She explained that TVET graduates are different because they are trained in specific trades like plumbing, welding, electrical installation, and hospitality. Wearing a standard gown does not show what these young people have actually learned.
In her new directive, Muoria ordered that TVET graduates must now wear professional attire that matches their area of study. For example, a catering student could graduate in a chef’s uniform, while a construction trainee could wear work overalls or neat trade clothing. The idea is to make each graduate easily identifiable by their practical specialty.
The Principal Secretary argued that the old way of dressing was not helping to promote the real skills and expertise that TVET trainees acquire. She noted that for many years, technical graduates have been putting on the conventional robe and sash like university students, yet their training is completely different. That trend, she said, hides the very thing they should be proud of: their hands-on ability.
Many parents and trainers have welcomed the move, saying it will help remove the wrong belief that TVET courses are less important than university degrees. By dressing according to their profession, graduates can stand out and even attract employers who are watching.
