Julius Ogamba, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, has cautioned principals of Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions against implementing unauthorized fee structures.
The CS stated that disciplinary measures will be enforced against those found contravening this directive.
Ogamba made these remarks during the closing of a three-day Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI) Leadership Engagement and Capacity Building Workshop held in Mombasa on Wednesday.
The Education CS advised institutional heads to approach the Ministry with concerns instead of independently imposing additional charges on approved fees.
“We cannot allow principals to levy extra charges that contradict government-approved fees. If there are issues, consult with us so we can collaborate, but no institution should impose supplementary charges,” he emphasized.
Ogamba also urged TVET leaders to transcend administrative functions and adopt transformational leadership based on accountability, evidence-based decision-making, and alignment with labor market requirements.
The CS highlighted that Kenya’s competitiveness regionally and globally will depend on the quality and relevance of its skilled workforce, instructing institutions to incorporate digital tools, automation, and artificial intelligence into their training programs to prepare students for future job markets.
Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary for the State Department of TVET, supported this stance, calling on principals to maintain approved fee structures, safeguard public resources, and ensure equipment investments result in training, production, and measurable outcomes.
Muoria revealed that TVET institutions with garage facilities will start servicing government vehicles, ending the current practice of contracting private providers for such services.
“We intend to have all government vehicles repaired at our TVET institutions with garage facilities, instead of the government incurring expenses by sending vehicles to external repairers. We will commence this at the Jogoo House facilities,” she stated.
The PS referenced a National Treasury directive as proof that the nation is beginning to trust TVET institutions not just for education but also for delivering practical services, noting that the Toyota Kenya partnership already exemplifies successful industry-institution collaborative training.
Both officials stressed the importance of TVET institutions shifting from passive capacity development to active implementation, warning that attending workshops without subsequent action leads to institutional inefficiency and misallocation of public funds.
Muoria encouraged principals to act as chief executive officers of their institutions and personally foster industry connections that can facilitate student placements, equipment access, and production partnerships.
Regarding quality assurance, the PS explained that the credibility of Competency-Based Education and Training will be evaluated not by enrollment figures, but by graduates’ ability to perform tasks independently according to industry standards, stating that assessment irregularities will not be accepted.
“Principals will face personal accountability when standards are compromised,” she warned.
Muoria also instructed institutions to adhere to financial reporting requirements stipulated by the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 and Section 14(2) of the TVET Act, 2013, which mandate submission of audited financial statements within three months after each fiscal year concludes.
The three-day workshop convened principals, deputy principals, registrars, and quality assurance officers from TVET institutions nationwide, centered on the theme: Transforming TVET Institutions through Strategic Leadership, Financial Stewardship, and Quality Assurance.