By Steve Muthini
Students joining Technical and Vocational Training Institutes have been encouraged to apply for loans from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to complement the capitation offered by the government.
Speaking from her office, TVET board member and principal of Machakos Technical Training Institute for the Blind Dr Priscilla Mutua said that vocational training was virtually free when one factored in the capitation from the government and the loan from HELB.
‘Despite that, many students are reluctant to apply for the HELB loans for fear of being listed by the Credit Reference Bureau if they default in repaying. We had to call officers from HELB to talk to our students and encourage them to apply for the loans,” said Dr Mutua.
She revealed that all Technical Training Institutes across the country charge Shs 56,400 annually as tuition fees for any course level.
‘Upon admission, every trainee receives Shs 30,000 as non-repayable government capitation. This implies that trainees only need to pay Shs 26,400 annually,’ she pointed out.
She added that trainees who apply for HELB can receive a minimum of Shs 40,000 annually and that from the amount, Shs 26,400 goes directly into a student’s tuition fees.
In the recent past, the government has been encouraging more learners to join TVET institutions because the courses offered in TVETs provide skills necessary for job creation as they are more practical.
Those who score C- in KCSE can enroll for diploma courses, those with D plain can enroll for certificate courses while those who score below D plain can enroll for artisan courses.
