Address these challenges that are slowing down TVET's progress

Kenya’s TVET sector facing rising costs and structural challenges despite growing demand for technical skills training. [File, Standard]

Address the challenges slowing down TVET’s progress urgently

The government has popularised  technical and vocational (TVET ) training. The institutions have even seen students shunning universities and opting for technical and vocational training in various diploma education areas of specialisation. Currently the institutions teem with over 700,000 learners across various disciplines. This is good considering the shortage of skilled manpower in these institutions.

Virtually all the areas offered in the TVET institutions still represent the yawning gaps in our human resource development. Having skilled manpower in these areas will go a long way in national development. This is why the sector needs undivided government attention.

However, enrolment is one thing. Retention and transition are another kettle of fish. This is the Achilles heel of the TVET story today. Many learners are enrolled but due to some policies, challenges exist in transition and retention. Learners are unable to sit for examinations due to the high fees charged and the modular examination approach pursued by the institutions. Things become murkier with two examining bodies offering assessment to candidates. There is the KNEC and TIVETA — both bodies vested with the administration of assessment. This confusion should come to an end and a way should be agreed upon by the two bodies on the way forward for the many students who, for one reason or the other, were unable to sit for examinations when they were offered.

Complaints have been raised over the exorbitant fees charged for tuition in TVET institutions. Under the modular curriculum introduced in May 2025, tuition fee rose from Sh56,000 to Sh105,000 per year. This is exclusive of charges arising from accommodation, examinations, tools, materials and subsistence. Learners are expected to pay at least Sh35,000 per term, but there are additional charges that catapult the amount, making the annual cost approach Sh400,000 — a sum that is beyond the reach of many parents and guardians.

The modular system is another bottleneck to transition and retention in TVET institutions. Under this system, level three is capped at Sh35,000 while level four is at Sh70,000 for two modules. The truth on the ground is that many learners struggle to meet the cost of fresh modules and repeated payments across modules in which they have failed. We have to take cognisance of the fact that the bulk of those enrolled are fresh high school graduates. This has occasioned a large pool of incomplete graduates — learners in theory only.

Many students equally fail to take up the positions they are offered due to the high charges slapped on admission. Even for those who enroll, many are dropping out. The household component to fee payment introduced by the current government has also proved a millstone around many parents’ and guardians’ necks. Things are made worse by delayed capitation from the government. The issue of delayed capitation seems to be the second name of the Ministry of Education and, by extension, the current government. It cuts across all curriculum levels and affects both institutions and individual learners in equal measure.

These challenges are impacting negatively on the government’s dream of making training responsive to the country’s needs. Issues of governance, financing, quality, relevance, equity and inclusion are rendered nugatory by what is obtaining in TVET institutions currently. Glaring gaps exist in inadequate training equipment, infrastructure deficits, trainer capacity gaps, and poor linkages between industry and training institutions. The good news is that these challenges can be addressed if there is political will and good planning.

What, then, is the way forward? First, the government should review the fees charged on learners downwards. Second, the modular system should be improved in terms of fees charged per term and the cost levied on those who have failed and are attempting assessment for the second or even third time. Third, capitation funds should be released on time and the amount allocated per learner increased. Fourth, the government should increase the number of beneficiaries of scholarships and bursaries. Fifth, the government should invest in infrastructure development and make the institutional ecosystem friendly in terms of equipment and instructional resources, trainer capacity building and good governance.