TVET Helb Stories

HELB: Former students owe Sh32 billion in unpaid loans, 64,000 blacklisted
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Sep 27, 2025

Currently, at least 708,000 students are enrolled in Kenyan universities, and over 100,000 graduated this year.

Senators demand reopening of HELB portal to allow more students to apply
Lucy Mumbi  |  Sep 25, 2025

Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi termed the premature closure of the portal as ill-timed, saying it has disadvantaged learners who had only recently acq...

MPs raise red flag over governance gaps in newly formed technical training institutes
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Sep 25, 2025

During a recent visit to Njoro Technical and Training Institute and Gilgil Technical and Vocational Training College, MPs reviewed unresolved audit qu...

Court upholds KNEC's lucrative exam distribution tender
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Sep 17, 2025

Justice Chigiti concluded that there were no grounds to overturn the procurement process, confirming that Knec and the PPRB acted lawfully.

HELB confirms full funding for university and TVET students despite past delays
Lucy Mumbi  |  Sep 16, 2025

Several students had reported delays in receiving their loans, which risked preventing them from registering for classes or sitting exams.

Turkana youth unlock opportunities with market-ready vocational training
Issa Hussein  |  Sep 07, 2025

As part of the Ujuzi Mashinani initiative in Katilu and Kalapata Wards, trainees are acquiring essential skills in mechanics, hairdressing, electrical...

HELB extends student loan application deadline
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Sep 03, 2025

HELB confirmed that first-time applicants now have until September 14 to apply. Continuing students, meanwhile, have until September 7, extended from...

KUCCPS extends TVET application deadline for September 2025 intake
Rachael Mutabasi  |  Aug 22, 2025

The intake targets KCSE holders from 2000 to 2024, who can apply for diploma, craft, and artisan certificate programmes with the following minimum gra...

HELB loans awarded to 136,000 first-time university students as government caps fees
Rachael Mutabasi  |  Aug 15, 2025

Semester fees for students will now range from a minimum contribution of Sh5,814 to a maximum of Sh75,000, depending on the student’s level of need an...

KUCCPS reopens TVET applications for September intake, cuts fees to widen access
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Aug 09, 2025

The placement body has invited Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) holders from the years 2000 to 2024 to apply.

Turkana County launches project to train 1,250 youth as community digital champions
Issa Hussein  |  Aug 08, 2025

According to the county government, applicants seeking to become community digital champions must be residents of the community, active smartphone use...

Audit flags 25 TVET institutions for breaching procurement, financial regulations
Lucy Mumbi  |  Aug 04, 2025

The report also exposed systemic flaws in financial management, staffing and oversight, raising concerns over the credibility and transparency of the...

HELB disbursements to begin August 15 after Sh5 billion funding boost
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Aug 01, 2025

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said the move is aimed at ensuring that all eligible students receive financial support and that no on...

2024 KCSE learners urged to explore TVET as alternative route to jobs, entrepreneurship
Farhiya Hussein  |  Jul 29, 2025

The system allows for gradual certification, enabling students to enter or return to the job market as they progress through their training.

Report exposes funding gaps, staff shortages and infrastructure failures in schools
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jul 19, 2025

The findings show that despite policy efforts and rising enrolment in some areas, many learners and teachers continue to operate in under-resourced en...

HELB turmoil deepens as Chairperson Ekwee Ethuro, CEO Geoffrey Monari clash over Sh12.9 billion shortfall
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jul 18, 2025

In an interview on Thursday, Ethuro claimed HELB is financially healthy, dismissing reports of a funding crisis. But in a separate appearance before M...

KUCCPS opens TVET applications for September 2025 intake
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jul 15, 2025

The portal will be accessible between July 14 and July 31, 2025, allowing eligible KCSE certificate holders from the years 2000 to 2024 to apply for p...

HELB tightens portal rules, orders minor applicants to update national ID details
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jul 12, 2025

HELB said applicants who registered using their KCSE index number must now revise their account details by adding their national ID number and first n...

HELB opens loan and scholarship applications for university, TVET students until August 31
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jul 02, 2025

In the notice, HELB emphasised inclusivity by reiterating the urgency and commitment to supporting students from all backgrounds.

MPs slam university, TVET heads over audit failures, mismanagement and hiring violations
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jul 01, 2025

During a session on Tuesday, legislators warned of tough sanctions, stressing that the culture of impunity in public universities and colleges must be...

Over 310,000 students placed in universities, colleges and TVETs in 2025 KUCCPS results
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jul 01, 2025

Education CS Julius Ogamba disclosed that out of the 244,563 candidates who qualified for degree programmes, 201,695 applied for placement to various...

‘We’re being priced out of education’: TVET students cry foul over sudden fee hikes
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jun 22, 2025

Student leaders expressed concern that the tuition fee hikes are already disrupting learning and pushing thousands of students to the brink of droppin...

TVETs to fully adopt skills-based curriculum by January 2026
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jun 19, 2025

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the change is part of a broader plan to transform the education system and produce graduates who are re...

More KCSE candidates choose TVET courses over university degrees as preference for practical skills grows
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jun 09, 2025

According to data from KUCCPS, 173,098 students were admitted to TVET institutions—outnumbering the 156,713 placed in university degree programmes.

Budget cuts jeopardise education for millions as key programmes struggle with shortfalls
Lucy Mumbi  |  May 14, 2025

Members of Parliament resolved to summon Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo to explain the sharp budget cuts that have crippled critical progra...

TVET colleges adopt modular curriculum for practical skills
Lucy Mumbi  |  May 12, 2025

The move comes after the government completed the development of modules for 188 out of 250 courses, marking a significant step in the rollout of the...

Kenya’s basic education institutions surge by 39pc in 2024 as junior schools drive expansion
Lucy Mumbi  |  May 07, 2025

Pre-primary school enrolment increased to 2.91 million pupils in 2024, up from 2.88 million in 2023. Enrolment for boys grew by 1.5 per cent, surpassi...

House committee flags mismanagement, ethnic bias in universities and technical institutions
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 25, 2025

Vice Chancellors and Principals were summoned to explain the use of hundreds of millions on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems that have not p...

TVET institutions to certify trainees with short-term, skill-based courses from May
Lucy Mumbi  |  Apr 07, 2025

From next month, TVET institutions will move away from traditional theory-based learning, adopting a more practical, competency-based approach.

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