TVET Funding Transforming Students’ Lives Through Access to Education

For many young Kenyans, pursuing technical and vocational education has long been a dream overshadowed by financial hardship. Despite their determination to acquire practical skills and build meaningful careers, thousands of students have been forced to defer their studies, miss examinations, or even drop out because they could not afford tuition fees. Today, however, the Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) funding programme is steadily changing that reality by giving learners from financially challenged backgrounds an opportunity to stay in school and complete their training.

According to the Ministry of Education’s TVET Sub-Sector Report (2025–2027), the government’s new student-centered funding model has enabled tens of thousands of TVET trainees to benefit from scholarships and financial support, significantly expanding access to technical and vocational education across the country. The report further indicates that applications for TVET funding have continued to rise, reflecting the growing demand for affordable technical education.

At Kericho Township Technical Training College, the impact of the funding programme is clearly reflected in the experiences of students whose educational journeys have been transformed.

One of them is Kibet Langat, a second-year student pursuing a Diploma in Agricultural Extension. Coming from a financially constrained family, Kibet had struggled to raise school fees, a challenge that almost derailed his academic journey.

“The TVET funding has been very beneficial to me. Before I received the funding, I had fee arrears and last year I was unable to register for my examinations because I couldn’t clear my school fees. Since I got the funding, I have been able to continue with my studies without constantly worrying about tuition fees,” said Kibet.

For Kibet, receiving financial support did more than clear his fee balance. It restored hope and renewed his determination to complete his studies. Instead of constantly thinking about unpaid fees, he is now able to concentrate on attending classes, preparing for examinations, and acquiring the practical skills required in his profession.

Even so, he acknowledges that challenges still exist.

“The only challenge is that the funding only caters for tuition fees. Accommodation and our daily living expenses are still our responsibility as students, and for many of us, meeting those costs is still difficult,” he added.

The positive impact of the funding is also evident from the perspective of trainers who interact with students every day.

Purity Ndemo, a trainer at West Mugirango Technical and Vocational College, says the funding programme has significantly transformed learning within the institution.

“Since the introduction of TVET funding, we have witnessed a remarkable increase in student enrolment and class attendance because many trainees who previously could not afford fees are now able to join and remain in school. Students are also performing much better academically because they are able to concentrate on their studies without the constant stress of school fees,” she said.

Official figures further demonstrate the growing reach of the programme. The Ministry of Education reports that more than 52,000 trainees benefited from government scholarships under the new funding model during the 2023/2024 financial year, while applications for TVET funding have continued to increase as more learners seek opportunities to pursue technical education. HELB also reports having supported hundreds of thousands of TVET trainees through tuition loans and scholarships over the years, reflecting the government’s commitment to expanding access to technical education.

As Kenya continues to strengthen its Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector, the success stories emerging from institutions across the country serve as powerful evidence that investing in education is ultimately an investment in people. For many trainees, TVET funding is more than financial assistance it is the opportunity to pursue their dreams, acquire life-changing skills, and build a better future for themselves and their families.