Vocational training centres in Vihiga county are acutely underfunded, with inadequate staffing and a shortage of learning materials that have grossly affected their operations.
A county assembly report that was last week adopted by MCAs also cited weak policies and deteriorating infrastructure as major setbacks that have led to declining enrolment.
The report said the Sh15,000 capitation for each leaner is inadequate and the disbursement irregular.
“The departmental budget ceiling for education for the 2025-26 financial year of Sh573.7 million is grossly inadequate to address these urgent needs,” the report said.
“Many VTCs operate in dilapidated facilities, some without electricity or proper workshops, while most instructors work on short-term or voluntary contracts with no benefits or structured career progression,” it said.
The report said the county government lacks a law to provide a legal and financial framework for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.
“The absence of a parent legislation has undermined transparency and consistency in the disbursement of funds,” the committee noted.
The report attributes low enrolment to poor public perception of vocational training, outdated equipment, poor learning conditions and erratic funding.
Approval of the report comes a month after reopening of the 34 VTCs in the county following a two months closure of the centres by their managers, who cited unrealistic budget cuts, lack of training tools, equipment and instructional materials and undercapitation of the trainees.
“We, the managers, have unanimously decided to indefinitely close the institutions pending effective resolution of the existing crises,” their memorandum to Governor Wilber Ottichilo dated July 4 read.
The committee has recommend increase in capitation for trainees, prioritising recruitment of qualified trainers on permanent terms, upgrading training infrastructure and expediting the passage of the long-pending TVET Bill.
It also urges feasibility studies before launching new projects to prevent waste and calls for the reshuffling of officers who failed to act on declining enrolment.
The county has, however, said it is committed to improving services at the VTCs for skills development.
County director of communications Frank Matika said Vihiga has been and continues to fund VTCs fully.
He attributed any delays to erratic disbursements by the exchequer to counties.
“The question should be where the money we allocate goes to. We have continued to fund the institutions and even gone further to specialise and acquire the requisite tools and equipment,” he said.
Senator Godfrey Osotsi has urged the county government to urgently address the worsening state of TVETs in the county.
The senator said investments in youth training are essential for their long-term social and economic development.
