TVET Enrolment Nearly Doubles This Year, Education CS Reports

TVET Enrolment Nearly Doubles This Year, Education CS Reports.

The government’s campaign to boost enrolment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions has started yielding results, with enrolment numbers rising from 375,000 to 600,000.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba stated that this growth was driven by a sensitisation initiative conducted in collaboration with a multi-agency team, including the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO). The objective is to eventually reach two million learners.

Ogamba noted that outdated perceptions of TVET institutions as a fallback for those who miss out on university are gradually fading. Increasingly, qualified students are opting to join these institutions to acquire hands-on technical skills. He attributed this change to the ongoing public awareness efforts and branding reforms within the sector.

Speaking during a three-day retreat for principals under the Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI) held at Pride Inn Paradise resort, Ogamba highlighted recent achievements. The conference, themed “Strengthening Leadership, Governance and Innovation for Transformative TVET Institutions,” brought together leaders from across the country to strategise on advancing the sector.

The Cabinet Secretary revealed that Sh8.5 billion has been allocated to TVET institutions in the supplementary budget to support continued development. As part of this expansion, 5,500 new tutors will be recruited to strengthen the current workforce of 9,800 trainers.

TVET institutions are also preparing to fully implement a modularised curriculum starting in May. This will allow students to pursue short courses, join the workforce, and later return for further training.

The first group under this model is expected to receive certification by August after completing skill-specific programmes aligned with industry needs. Ogamba explained that this structure would enhance accessibility and help raise enrolment.

TVET Graduates Seeing Employment Success

The CS reported that 85 per cent of TVET graduates secure employment at the institutions where they train, while others go on to become self-employed. He noted that over 8,000 students who sat for last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams had already chosen to enrol in TVET and related colleges.

The number is expected to grow further with the release of placement results from the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).

This trend, according to Ogamba, is a clear indication that TVET education is gaining recognition among secondary school graduates, marking a significant shift from past trends.

Read Also: Over 8,000 KCSE Graduates Opt for TVET and College Courses

In another initiative, the Ministry of Education is working on a policy to facilitate the transfer of unused government vehicles to TVET institutions for training purposes. Ogamba pointed out that many vehicles in ministries and police stations are left to deteriorate, yet they could serve as valuable training tools for students.

Also attending the retreat was Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) chairman Ekwe Ethuro. Key topics discussed at the event included Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) implementation and assessment, human resource management, communication etiquette, and effective marketing strategies to improve the visibility and appeal of TVET programmes.

TVET Enrolment Nearly Doubles This Year, Education CS Reports.

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