Mombasa: Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos Ogamba has issued a stern warning to principals of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions regarding unauthorized fee increments. He stated that any principals found imposing fee structures not approved by the Ministry of Education would face disciplinary action.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ogamba made these remarks during the closing ceremony of a three-day Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI) Leadership Engagement and Capacity Building Workshop held in Mombasa. He urged institution heads to consult with the Ministry on any concerns regarding fees, rather than independently adding charges to the approved structures. “We cannot be having principals adding additional charges to fees contrary to what the government has approved. If you have an issue, consult and let us work together, but no institution should add more charges,” Ogamba emphasized.
The CS further encouraged TVET leaders to adopt transformational leadership that is rooted in accountability, evidence-based decision-making, and alignment with labor market demands. He highlighted the importance of integrating digital tools, automation, and artificial intelligence into training programs to enhance Kenya’s global competitiveness by preparing learners for future jobs.
Dr. Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary for the State Department of TVET, echoed Ogamba’s sentiments, reminding principals to adhere to approved fee structures, safeguard public resources, and ensure that investments in equipment translate into effective training and measurable outcomes. She announced plans for TVET institutions equipped with garages to start servicing government vehicles, a task previously outsourced to private providers. “We want to begin to repair all government vehicles in our TVET institutions with garages rather than the government spending money taking vehicles to be repaired by others,” Dr. Muoria stated.
She cited a National Treasury directive as a sign of growing trust in TVET institutions to provide both training and practical services, referencing the successful partnership with Toyota Kenya as an example of effective industry collaboration. Both officials underscored the necessity for TVET institutions to transition from passive capacity building to active implementation, warning against attending workshops without follow-through, which they deemed a misuse of public resources.
Dr. Muoria urged principals to take on the role of chief executive officers of their institutions and actively pursue industry linkages to enhance trainee placements, equipment access, and production partnerships. On the subject of quality assurance, she emphasized that the credibility of Competency-Based Education and Training would be evaluated not by enrollment numbers but by graduates’ ability to perform tasks independently and to industry standards. She warned against assessment malpractice and cautioned that principals would be held accountable if standards were compromised.
Additionally, Dr. Muoria instructed institutions to comply with financial reporting obligations outlined in the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, and Section 14(2) of the TVET Act, 2013, requiring audited financial statements to be submitted within three months after the end of the Financial Year. The workshop gathered principals, deputy principals, registrars, and quality assurance officers from TVET institutions nationwide, focusing on the theme: Transforming TVET Institutions through Strategic Leadership, Financial Stewardship, and Quality Assurance.
