Only 145, 600 last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates who scored below grade C+ applied for enrolment at the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
While speaking at the parliament on Thursday, the Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said the number represents 21 per cent of 703, 121 students who scored below grade C+.
“All the students who score below C+ qualify for placement in TVET to take the various courses. For 2022 KCSE, there are 703,121 students. This means that 559,021 students who qualify for TVETS have not applied for placement yet,” the CS said.
However, Machogu said that he is sure the enrolment will continue to grow as the government supports learning in these institutions, especially with the new funding model.
It is projected that 42,144 TVET trainees will be fully supported by the government and their families will not be required to pay anything.
Applicants categorized as vulnerable will receive 80 per cent of the government scholarship and a loan of 20 per cent of the programme cost. Their households will not contribute anything.
Those categorized as extremely needy will receive a scholarship that will pay for 70 per cent of their programme cost and a loan that will pay for 30 per cent. Their households will also not pay anything.
Those classified as needy will receive a scholarship of 50 per cent and a loan of 30 per cent with their households paying 20 per cent of the programme cost.
The less needy will receive a scholarship of 32 per cent of the total programme cost and a loan of 48 per cent. Their households will pay 20 per cent of the programme cost.
The CS said the government has also allocated Ksh5.2 billion to support 345,802 continuing trainees in TVET institutions.
Each trainee will receive a capitation grant of Ksh15, 038 below the agreed amount of Ksh30, 000.
“The Ministry recommends additional funding for continuing trainees, to the sum of Ksh3.4 billion, so that each trainee will receive Ksh25, 000,” Machogu said.
By Vostine Ratemo
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