Managers of Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) in Siaya County are threatening to shut down their institutions due to severe financial constraints and inadequate support from the county government. The crisis has emerged as a result of the county’s failure to remit necessary funds, which has left many VTCs grappling with unpaid bills and operational challenges.
The managers, through their caucus, have voiced their frustration over the dire financial situation, warning that they may not reopen their institutions for the upcoming third term if the issues are not addressed. The lack of resources has rendered the running of these centers increasingly difficult, impacting their ability to deliver vocational training effectively.
The core of the issue lies in the county government’s failure to provide adequate capitation funds. According to the managers, the county’s contribution is significantly below what is required. “Capitation money never comes from the county; in fact, it’s in paper form but doesn’t reach the institutions as required,” said one worried manager. The county was expected to provide Ksh 15,000 per trainee, akin to the national government’s contribution. However, for the financial year 2022/2023, the county only provided Ksh 6,000 per trainee. Recently, the VTCs received a flat rate of Ksh 100,000 for the entire year, which the managers deem insufficient given the needs of the institutions.
In addition to financial challenges, the VTCs are grappling with severe understaffing. The caucus highlighted that only 24 trainers have been employed by the county government since devolution, leaving a significant shortfall in staffing. “We have a total of 352 instructors across our centers. Of these, the county employed staff are only 24, who are also playing the role of managers. This leaves a huge chunk of 328 instructors under the care of Boards of Governors, who are often inadequately equipped to support the managers in making crucial decisions,” noted an administrator who wished to remain anonymous due to fear of retribution.
The shortage of county-employed staff has exacerbated the difficulties faced by the VTCs, impacting the quality of vocational training and the overall functioning of the centers. The managers are concerned that without adequate support and resources, the institutions may be forced to shut down, which would have far-reaching consequences for the trainees and the community at large.
The VTCs play a critical role in equipping individuals with practical skills and vocational training necessary for their personal and professional development. The potential closure of these centers would not only disrupt the educational journey of current trainees but also limit opportunities for future students seeking vocational education.
The county government of Siaya now faces a crucial decision. Addressing the financial and staffing issues at the VTCs is imperative to ensure the continued operation of these essential institutions. The managers have called for urgent action to rectify the situation, emphasizing that without prompt intervention, the institutions may be forced to halt their operations, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the vocational training sector in the county.
As the situation unfolds, stakeholders, including the county government, educational authorities, and the community, will need to collaborate to find a sustainable solution to prevent the shutdown of these vital vocational training centers and to support the development of vocational education in Siaya County.
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