Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has announced that the government will pay examination fees for Form Four candidates, ending speculation that parents and guardians will bear the burden.

Kitutu Chache North MP Japhet Nyakundi, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, confirmed that the government has allocated funds in the budget specifically for this purpose and urged parents not to panic.

“The government has not removed the money for the examination. It is intact and there is no cause for alarm,” Nyakundi stated.

The leaders made these remarks during the inaugural graduation ceremony of 201 graduates at Riragia Technical and Vocational College in Kisii County.

The CS said the government had disbursed capitation to primary and secondary schools, but some had errors and asked the affected head teachers and principals to contact their respective Sub-County Directors of Education (SDEs) to correct the error.

“There are schools which got fewer resources than they expected. The ministry is handling the matter and urges them to be patient as the errors are being rectified,” Migos said.

He appealed to graduates from Technical Vocation Education and Training (TVETs) to be innovative, seek public funds, invest in businesses and create jobs.

Research, noted the CS, has shown 85 per cent of TVET graduates are self-employed or get jobs in the formal sector, stressing that the government is equipping the colleges to ensure students acquire relevant skills for the job market.

Hosted by Dr Paul Makori, the CS noted the ministries of Education and Housing have partnered to construct 340-bed capacity hostels for students at Riragia, adding the programme is being rolled out in TVets nationally to ensure trainees have adequate accommodation.