This archive report was first published on 19 October 2019.
Lucy Maina, programme manager at Zizi Afrique Foundation, highlights the challenges faced by vocational training centres (VTCs) since devolution.
According to the "Landscape Mapping" report (2017), VTCs had the highest capacity to absorb the youth not in education, employment, and training.
However, since devolvement, the challenges faced by VTCs have outweighed the gains.
The report indicates that VTCs struggle to access funding from county governments, leading to poorly-equipped institutions, demoralised and insufficient instructors, and poorly-trained graduates.
Managers in public VTCs point out that there were better support systems in place before devolution, including staff recruitment and remuneration, skills upgrading, and promotions.
Devolution has introduced bureaucracies and delays, affecting the flow of funds and operations, and leading to inequalities in terms of allocation of funds and prioritisation of the centres.
County governments with expertise have positively engaged in rebuilding and rebranding VTCs, but those in rural areas lack access to information on enrolment, leaving facilities unutilised.
Capitation grants often arrive late, forcing learners to pay fees or be sent away.
As a result, VTCs, which reach the most vulnerable and vast numbers, have become weaker and less supported.
Published on October 19, 2019
