Where are the learners? Nyandarua vocational college decries low enrolment

Technical and Vocational Colleges in Nyandarua County have continued to decry low enrollment even as the government pumped in millions of shillings to the sector.

The dwindling numbers have seen equipment deployed to the institutions lie idle, with stakeholders pooling efforts towards luring the numbers for their rollout.

Ndaragwa MP George Gachagua has said that lack of information and enough awareness was to blame for under-enrollment in TEVET institutions.

Speaking at Ndaragwa Technical and Vocation Training Centre during a new intake and graduation of students who were undertaking computer courses, the MP observed that the government has pumped in a lot of resources to such institutions and hence underscored the need for parents and youths to embrace technical courses.

He said that once equipped with the requisite skills, students are able to create jobs and also get employment in the growing industry.

His sentiments were echoed by Ndaragwa TVTC deputy Principal Lucy Mbomboti who emphasised the opportunities that lie in government-subsidized fees for all who enroll with the Higher Education Loans Board.

She noted that the government pays Ksh30,000 for every student, with the remaining Ksh26,000 spread across the three terms, adding that the students would then automatically qualify for HELB loans of up to Ksh40,000 which will help in clearing the fee balances and upkeep.