MPs want prompt funding for TVET

The parliamentary committee on Education wants Treasury to expedite release of funds to  students pursuing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.

Committee chairman and Tinderet MP Julius Melly, said student population in Technical Training Institutions (TTIs) was growing fourfold annually, and thus required resources to make the sector achieve its objectives.

“More youths are embracing TVET courses that enhance the development of knowledge and skills for employment. The Government had agreed to provide Sh30,000 capitation fund and Sh40,000 loan per student annually and we urge Treasury to speed up the release of the resources,” said Mr Melly.

He said funding would help the sector meet its goals and ensure the high unemployment rate is addressed as more youths take up courses that offer them relevant skills.

Locked out

The legislator noted that lack of resources had locked out many deserving students from humble backgrounds, majority who graduate from day secondary schools.

Speaking to parents and students at Tindiret Technical Training Institute in his constituency at the weekend, Melly also urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to hire more teachers and deploy them to institutions facing deficits.

“More than 18,000 new teachers should be employed to address staff shortage in secondary schools. The Government has good policy programmes to advance education at primary, secondary and technical institutions but a shortage of teachers is still a setback,” noted Melly.

He said implementation of free education and 100 per cent transition from primary to secondary were successful, with most classrooms in secondary schools having more than 100 students.

Melly urged TSC to partner with other stakeholders to address challenges in the education sector.