The Ministry of Education has announced a new standardised fee structure for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, setting the annual cost at KSh67,189 across all public institutions. The move is aimed at expanding access to skills-based education and addressing the long-standing inconsistencies in fee structures across different colleges and training programmes.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba made the announcement on March 6 during the first graduation ceremony at Baringo National Polytechnic, where he addressed graduates, families, and stakeholders from the technical education sector.
According to the ministry, the new fee structure follows extensive consultations with stakeholders in the TVET sub-sector and is designed to make technical training more affordable and accessible to Kenyan students.
“Following extensive consultations with TVET sub-sector stakeholders, the government has rationalised TVET fees to promote access to TVET offerings,” Ogamba said during the ceremony.
The KSh67,189 annual fee, which includes assessment charges, will take effect from May 2026 and will apply uniformly across all public TVET institutions.
Addressing Rising Training Costs
The decision comes amid growing concern about the rising cost of technical education in the country. Recent reports indicate that fees in many public TVET institutions have nearly doubled over the past year, placing additional financial pressure on students and their families.
Earlier this year, the Kenya Union of Technical and Vocational Education Trainers (KUTVET) revealed that annual tuition fees under the modular curriculum introduced in May 2025 had increased significantly, rising from approximately KSh56,000 to about KSh105,000 per year for tuition alone.
These costs, according to trainers, exclude additional expenses such as accommodation, examination fees, training materials, tools, and other subsistence costs required during training.
KUTVET Secretary General Kepher Ogwui noted that the rising fees have made it increasingly difficult for many families to support students pursuing technical education.
“It has now become extremely difficult for the ordinary parent to sustain a child in a technical institution. Fees have risen from KSh56,000 to KSh105,000 per year for tuition alone,” Ogwui said.
Under the previous fee structure, learners were paying about KSh35,000 per term, and trainers warned that once additional costs were included, the total annual expense could rise to as high as KSh400,000 for some programmes.
The government’s move to introduce a uniform fee structure is therefore expected to ease the financial burden on students while helping stabilise enrolment levels in TVET institutions.
Supporting Skills Development and Employment
The fee reforms come at a time when the government is implementing broader changes in the education sector aimed at strengthening technical and vocational training as a pathway to employment.
Central to these reforms is the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) framework, which focuses on equipping trainees with practical skills that match the needs of modern industries.
CS Ogamba said the CBET model is designed to bridge the gap that has historically existed between the skills taught in training institutions and the demands of the labour market.
“This approach shifts our focus from theory-heavy instruction to hands-on training, practical assessment and industry relevance,” he said.
Under CBET, trainees are assessed based on their ability to demonstrate practical competencies rather than relying primarily on written examinations.
Strengthening Industry Partnerships
To support the new training approach, the government is also working to strengthen partnerships between TVET institutions and industry players. These collaborations are expected to expand opportunities for workplace learning, internships, and apprenticeship programmes.
Ogamba noted that government investment is also being directed toward modernising training institutions through the provision of updated equipment, digital infrastructure, improved curricula, and enhanced teacher training.
The reforms aim to produce graduates who are better prepared to compete in a rapidly changing labour market both locally and internationally.
By standardising fees and strengthening the quality of training, the government hopes to position TVET education as a viable and attractive alternative to traditional university pathways, while also addressing the country’s growing demand for skilled technical professionals.
