This archive report was first published on 10 September 2019.
Published on September 10, 2019, a directive by the Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (Katti) has left over 16,000 National Youth Service (NYS) recruits stranded after they were barred from reporting back to classes due to Sh3.3 billion fees arrears.
The NYS is currently sponsoring 16,296 students in technical and vocational education training (TVET) institutions across the country.
According to a letter dated September 6, 2019, and addressed to all TVET principals by Katti chairperson Glory Mutungi, the decision was reached after a consultative meeting with NYS and the Ministry of Education.
“…it was resolved that NYS students will not be allowed to report back to the institutions until the NYS clears the fees arrears they owe to the respective institutions,” it reads.
TVET Principal Secretary Kevit Desai attributed the decision to financial stress caused by the reduction of fees in the government’s effort to increase enrollment.
“Each NYS student pays Sh109,500 per year. NYS currently owes our institutions Sh3,333,068,637. Due to this, the TVET institutions are in the red,” Dr Desai said.
Student leaders at the Meru National Polytechnic called on the government to act with speed to avert disrupting learning for 1,400 NYS sponsored students.
