A significant funding gap of Sh5.2 billion in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarships has left four out of five targeted students without financial support, according to data from Parliament.

In the 2025/26 financial year, the State Department for TVET aimed to fund 440,826 trainees but could only support 89,054 due to budget constraints. The department required Sh8.72 billion but initially received just Sh3.5 billion, later supplemented by an additional Sh1 billion.

Persistent Shortfalls Affect Student Retention

The funding deficit has forced some students to drop out, while others depend on Members of Parliament and well-wishers to pay fees and remain in college. TVET Principal Secretary Esther Muoria highlighted the challenge during a National Assembly Education Committee meeting, noting that government funding remains the biggest hurdle despite efforts to expand access.

Since the introduction of the Student-Centred Funding Model (SCFM) in 2023, scholarship allocations have consistently fallen short of the amounts needed to meet demand. The department oversees 33 national polytechnics and 213 technical and vocational colleges, with rising enrolment but inadequate funding.

Funding Deficits Over Three Years

  • 2023/24: Required Sh4.8 billion, received Sh1.95 billion (Sh2.89 billion shortfall)
  • 2024/25: Required Sh9.35 billion, received Sh2.5 billion (Sh6.85 billion shortfall)
  • 2025/26: Required Sh8.72 billion, received Sh3.5 billion (Sh5.2 billion shortfall)

These shortfalls total nearly Sh15 billion over three years, contributing to institutional debts and putting vulnerable students at risk of dropping out before completing their courses.

Government’s Push for TVET Growth Faces Funding Challenges

Despite the government’s promotion of TVET as a key pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), funding has not kept pace with increased enrolment. Nearly 9,000 students who qualified for university in 2025 opted for TVET courses, but many struggle to clear fees.

Education Committee chair Julius Melly emphasized the importance of TVET and announced plans to summon the Finance Cabinet Secretary to address the scholarship crisis.

Currently, the department reports meeting its Sh8.32 billion scholarship requirement for the ongoing financial year with an allocation of Sh9.2 billion, offering some relief to students.

The State Department for TVET administers scholarships in partnership with the Higher Education Loans Board via the Higher Education Financing platform. However, the persistent funding gaps continue to impact students from low-income backgrounds disproportionately.