Members of the National Assembly Committee on Education have raised concern over the high cost of student assessment and registration at Ollessos National Polytechnic, calling for urgent government intervention to ease the financial burden on trainees.
Led by the Committee Chairperson, Julius Melly, MPs toured the institution in Nandi County as part of their oversight role on government-funded projects and policies in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
During the inspection, the Committee learned that each trainee is required to pay Ksh. 1,500 during application to the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), and an additional Ksh. 1,500 for placement, pushing the total to Ksh. 3,000 a figure lawmakers said is unsustainable for students from poor backgrounds.
“This placement cost is too high. Many of these students cannot afford it. If we want to promote access to technical education, we must address these barriers,” said Jerusha Momanyi.
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In addition to placement fees, the high cost of registration and practical assessments under the Curriculum Development Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC) was highlighted as a growing challenge. Some of the assessments require expensive materials and equipment, particularly in engineering and construction courses.
“CDACC assessment fees are a real burden. Trainees are struggling to register, and that threatens their ability to complete their training. Government must step in to subsidize these costs,” said Dr. Christine Ombaka.
Rebecca Tonkei added, “We have visited other polytechnics and the high cost of assessment registration and practical assessment fees making it difficult for trainees to register is a common challenge across these institutions.”
Ollesos Polytechnic Senior Principal, Wesley Yegon told the Committee that while the government has rolled out initiatives like the funding model and the JITUME digital literacy programme, delays in the disbursement of HELB loans and capitation continue to affect smooth operations.
“The recent increase in enrollment to over 11,000 trainees this year, the highest in our history, is a positive step. But it has also strained our limited resources, especially workshops, classrooms, and trainer capacity,” said Yegon.
The Committee also took note of the institution’s challenges in hiring trainers for specialized areas such as mechanical engineering and land surveying, and the high trainer turnover due to better opportunities elsewhere.
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MP Melly pledged that the Committee would escalate the matter of high exam costs, alongside the broader issues affecting TVET institutions, to the Ministry of Education.
“Our tour here shows that Ollessos is doing its best to train skilled youth, but it needs policy and financial support. We shall make the case in Parliament for additional funding and policy reforms,” he said.
Members of the National Assembly Committee on Education have lauded the rapid growth of Ollessos National Polytechnic. “The institution’s adoption of the Dual TVET model in partnership with GIZ, which allows trainees to spend 50% of their time in the industry and 50% in class,” said Hon. Peter Orero.
The Committee is expected to prepare a comprehensive report to inform future funding and legislative interventions for TVET institutions across the country.
By Brian Ndigo
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