Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Principal Secretary Esther Muoria has defended the rollout of modular training in technical colleges, saying the reforms are intended to lower the cost of skills education and fast‑track employment for young people.
According to Muoria, the new system breaks long courses into shorter, competency‑based modules that allow learners to qualify faster for the job market.
Muoria said tuition fees have been capped at Sh35,000 per module, with assessments conducted progressively rather than at the end of the course.
“Examination of our students is formative and not summative. Learners are trained to perfection in specific fields and must demonstrate mastery before progressing,” Muoria explained, noting that some diploma programmes traditionally lasting two to three years have been shortened to just one year.
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The reforms come as TVET institutions prepare to absorb the majority of secondary school graduates who did not meet the minimum university entry grade.
In the 2025 KCSE results, only 270,715 candidates, translating to 27.18 per cent qualified for direct university admission, leaving more than 722,000 students seeking alternative pathways.
For years, TVETs have served as a safety net, offering practical training that enhances employability and self‑employment. Government financing through Helb loans and scholarships has supported learners from low‑income households, with aid distributed through a means‑tested system that prioritises vulnerable students.
However The Kenya Union of Technical and Vocational Education Trainers (KUTVET) has criticised the modularisation rollout, citing rising fees, compressed schedules and increased dropout rates. KUTVET argues that the reforms were rushed without proper consultation or piloting.
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Union Secretary General Kepher Oguwi said the three‑month modules leave students with inadequate preparation time, especially in institutions where learning is frequently disrupted. “It was not properly implemented. There was no public participation, and no piloting to identify gaps before nationwide rollout,” he said.
Traditionally, TVET programmes ran from six months to three years, depending on qualification level. Under the modular format, courses now last between three and six months, focusing on specific competencies. While the government insists the changes will accelerate skills acquisition, unions warn that the compressed structure risks undermining quality and pushing more students out of the system.
By Masaki Enock
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