State to reduce TVET fees to ease burden on trainees, curb dropouts

SITATI REAGAN-KNA

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has announced that the government will review college fees downward in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to address tuition challenges for trainees and prevent dropouts.

Speaking during the commissioning of a new multi-storey academic block at the Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, Ogamba said he had interacted with trainees who highlighted high fees as a major barrier.

“I have had a chance to speak to some of the students and trainees, and they shared with me some of the challenges they are facing, one of which concerns the exorbitant school fees. I wish to affirm that we have commissioned a team to review the fees so that we can reduce them,” he said.

The CS directed that the review process begins immediately, with a meeting scheduled Wednesday to address the concerns raised.

He noted that similar reviews had already been conducted for university fees, resulting in reductions of between 15 per cent to 40 per cent.

“We were able to review the university fees which we were able to reduce by between 15 per cent and 40 per cent and learning is ongoing.

We are going to review this one as well, downwards so that we ensure that all our trainees remain in the school and they will not drop out,” he added.

Ogamba urged trainees to utilize available funding from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and Universities Fund, emphasizing that help desks exist in institutions to assist with applications.

“Please go to that desk and let them assist you to make the application, so that you can be able to get support and benefit from the resources that are available to you,” he said. 

The CS reiterated the government’s goal to enroll at least two million youth in TVET institutions by 2027.

He noted that the administration inherited 297,000 enrollment in TVETs, compared to nearly 800,000 in universities, describing the previous structure as inverted.

“TVETs are not a second choice. It is a place to go because of the kind of training, the skills that you’ll acquire to enable you to contribute positively to the economy,” Ogamba explained.

On the transition of Grade 9 learners to Grade 10 under the competency-based curriculum, Ogamba said 99 per cent of learners nationally had made the transition, but noted that the Coast Region was lagging behind at 95 per cent.

He called on the Directors of Education and County Commissioners to intensify efforts to reach the national target.

Regarding textbooks, the CS said approximately nine million books were already in distribution, with projections to reach 11 million by the end of the month.

“As you know the President directed that even those students without uniforms, fees should be admitted to the schools so that they don’t miss education,” he said.

The newly commissioned five-level academic block, costing Sh150 million, was constructed within one year using the institution’s internally generated funds and savings.

Ogamba praised the polytechnic’s governing council and management for prudent resource management amid shrinking exchequer funding.

“This demonstrates a high level of commitment to prudent resource management and institutional sustainability,” he said.

The facility includes workshops, laboratories, classrooms, offices, and inclusive features such as lifts for users with mobility challenges.

The CS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in TVET infrastructure, curriculum and capacity building to prepare youth for the modern workforce.