Government Push for Skills Training Drives Surge in TVET Enrollment

By Jane Meza

Mombasa County, Kenya: A government initiative aimed at increasing enrollment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions is showing significant progress. Enrollment numbers have risen from 375,000 to 600,000.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced this achievement today. He was speaking to principals from across the country at a three-day retreat in Mombasa. The retreat, held at the Pride Inn Paradise resort, focuses on “Strengthening leadership, governance and innovation for transformative TVET institutions.”

CS Ogamba stated that a nationwide sensitization campaign is underway. This multi-agency effort includes National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) and aims to reach the government’s target of two million TVET enrollees.

He highlighted a positive shift in public perception. More qualified students are now choosing TVET programmes for practical skills. This marks a change from the view that these institutions were only for those who missed university placement.

“When we started the public sensitization campaign for TVET programmes recently, the student enrollment was 375,000. Currently, it stands at 600,000. It is possible to achieve the two million target,” CS Ogamba affirmed.

He emphasized the strong employment prospects for TVET graduates. According to the CS, 85 percent find employment or become entrepreneurs after their training. 

“For instance, more than 8,000 students who sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations last year have already opted to pursue courses in TVET and other colleges. We expect this number to grow as KUCCPS placement results are released,” Said CS.

In a significant move, CS Ogamba announced a Sh8.5 billion allocation in the supplementary budget to support TVET institutions. Additionally, there are plans to hire 5,500 new tutors, increasing the current workforce of 9,800.

Looking ahead, the TVET curriculum will be fully modularized by May. This will allow students to take shorter, focused courses and enter the workforce before potentially returning for further training. The first intake under this new module is expected to be certified in August.

“Instead of keeping students for the whole year, they can get specific skills and go back to the industry before they return for further training. This will ensure flexibility and accessibility to our TVET institutions and hence raise the enrollment,” he explained.

Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) chairman Ekwe Ethuro also attended the retreat. Discussions among the principals will cover Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), human resource management, communication, and marketing strategies.

In conclusion, CS Ogamba mentioned that the ministry is pushing for a policy to have public institutions release their old vehicles to TVET institutions for training purposes. 

“We are pushing for a government policy to ensure that old vehicles lying in the ministries are released to TVET institutions to support training even as they expand their programmes,” he concluded.