- Administrators have been asked to identify school leavers and encourage them to pursue further education.
- Stakeholders raised concern over the low number of Vihiga students enrolling in local tertiary institutions.
- Chiefs will also intensify community sensitisation on education opportunities, available funding and child protection.
Chiefs in Sabatia, Vihiga County, have been tasked with leading a grassroots campaign to increase enrolment in colleges and technical and vocational institutions.
Deputy County Commissioner Festus Munyao said local administrators should identify school leavers who were idle in villages and encourage them to pursue further education and skills training.
His call followed concerns raised by education stakeholders over the low number of Vihiga students joining tertiary institutions.
During a meeting at the Sabatia Sub-County Headquarters, KMTC lecturer Dr James Sure presented figures showing that only 13 students from Vihiga were among 197 graduates in a recent cohort at KMTC Vihiga in Mbale.
Sure described the figures as unacceptable, saying the county was hosting institutions that could provide young people with opportunities to acquire skills and build careers.
He said lack of information, financial challenges and rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) could be contributing to the problem.
“It is time for honest conversations about why local youth are missing out on education opportunities in their own backyard,” Sure said.
He urged parents, chiefs and education officers to establish the root causes of the low transition from secondary schools to colleges and vocational centres.
“We must bridge the gap before we lose an entire generation to idleness,” he added.
Funding opportunities
Stakeholders also sought to dispel the perception that tertiary education was reserved for families with financial means.
Stephen Ngode of RIAT said government funding was available through scholarships and loans administered through the HEF portal.
He said the system uses a standardised Means Testing Instrument to determine a student’s financial need.
Ngode explained that scholarships were non-repayable and targeted at students from disadvantaged families, while loans helped cover tuition and upkeep.
“Financial constraints should no longer be a barrier. The support is there. Our youth only need to apply,” Ngode said.
He encouraged young people to seek assistance from institutional help desks when applying for KUCCPS placement and HEF funding.
Chiefs to intensify outreach
Munyao directed chiefs and assistant chiefs in Izava, Lyaduywa, Busali and Chavakali to intensify education outreach and ensure school-age children remained in school.
He said government investment in TVET institutions would only benefit communities if young people took advantage of the available opportunities.
The administrator also expressed concern over GBV and called for stronger community-based prevention and child protection measures.
“Perpetrators must face the law. Do not settle GBV cases through kangaroo courts; instead, take legal action immediately,” Munyao said.
Education officers said career guidance should be strengthened in secondary schools so that students could learn about available courses, career paths and funding options before completing their studies.
They also proposed regular barazas where communities could receive information on education opportunities and GBV prevention.
Munyao said improving access to education and ensuring community safety were essential to the county’s development.
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“We have the institutions; we have the funding. What remains is for us to bridge the gap and ensure our children learn and are protected,” he said.
By Kimutai Langat
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