Machogu: Only 21% of students have applied to TVETs
Approximately 559,021 students who were eligible for admission to TVET institutions have not yet completed their placement applications, according to Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu. In the 2022 KCSE examination, 703,121 students who achieved grades below C+ met the requirements for enrollment in TVET institutions, allowing them to pursue a variety of courses. However, the number of students who have actually submitted placement applications stands at only 145,060, accounting for just 21 percent of the total placements available.
Machogu addressed this matter during his appearance before the National Assembly Education Committee. He emphasized that all students scoring below C+ are qualified for TVET placement, using the example of the 2022 KCSE cohort where 703,121 students fell into this category. This implies that a significant proportion, specifically 559,021 students, who are eligible for TVET placements have yet to apply.
Machogu expressed concerns about the challenges of funding that are posing serious threats to tertiary educational institutions. Despite this, he noted that admissions to TVET institutions are an ongoing yearly process, and he anticipates that more students will ultimately secure placements and gain admission.
Between 2018 and 2022, the enrollment figures for TVET institutions witnessed a substantial growth, increasing from 60,667 students to 327,778.
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The government implemented a capitation grant in the 2018-19 Financial Year, establishing an annual tuition fee of Sh56,420. Each trainee was initially set to receive a standardized capitation amount of Sh30,000 per year for their training, with additional funds sourced through household contributions and loans from the Higher Education Loans Board.
However, despite the escalating enrollment rates in TVET institutions, the allocated budget remained fixed at Sh5.2 billion on an annual basis.
In the preceding Financial Year (2022-23), a capitation deficit of Sh4.64 billion became evident. Consequently, the per-student capitation grant plummeted from Sh30,000 to as low as Sh13,000 per annum. Similarly, the average loan amount per trainee decreased from Sh40,000 to Sh35,000 per year.
Machogu indicated that under the new funding model, the government envisions fully supporting 42,144 TVET trainees. These individuals, along with their families, will not be required to make any financial contributions.
Additionally, applicants categorized as vulnerable will secure an 80 percent government scholarship alongside a 20 percent program cost loan. Their households will not be financially involved in these costs.
For those classified as extremely needy, a 70 percent scholarship will be granted, covering the majority of their program costs. A 30 percent loan will also be available, with no contribution expected from their households.
Applicants identified as needy will receive a scholarship equivalent to 50 percent of the program cost, coupled with a 30 percent loan. Their households will be responsible for covering the remaining 20 percent.
Less-needy candidates will be awarded a scholarship amounting to 32 percent of the total program cost, along with a 48 percent loan. In this case, their households will contribute 20 percent.
Machogu highlighted that the government has assigned Sh5.2 billion to support continuing trainees in TVET institutions, each of whom will receive a capitation grant of Sh15,038, below the initially agreed amount of Sh30,000.
To bridge this gap, Machogu recommended an additional funding allocation of Sh3.4 billion for continuing trainees, which would raise the support per trainee to Sh25,000.
Machogu: Only 21% of students have applied to TVETs
