The Meru National Polytechnic has been closed indefinitely following two days of students’ unrest over fee increment.
The riotous students barricaded roads in Makutano forcing closure of businesses on Monday and Tuesday.
A supermarket was vandalized on Tuesday as the rioting students wreaked havoc and engaged the police in running battles for the better part of the afternoon.
“Following the unrest of trainees on Monday and Tuesday, the management has decided to close the institution indefinitely,” Chief Principal Mutembei Kigige said.
Mr Kigige further defended the management saying the fees increment has been implemented across all Technical and Vocation Education Training (TVET) institutions in Kenya following a directive from the Ministry of Education.
He said the protests were by a section of students who are in Level six having joined the institution under a previous training model.
“The protesting students joined the institution in 2023 under the KNEC model, which charged Sh56, 420 annually. This model was phased out and replaced with the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) curriculum. The new standardized fee under CBET is Sh67, 189 per year. Students are encouraged to verify this with their counterparts in neighboring TVET institutions to confirm this reality,” the principal said.
He said that under CBET, students must undertake industrial attachment before completing their academic course.
“Attachment allows students to gain hands-on, practical experience and meet the curriculum requirements before proceeding to internship or the job market. It is recognized by industry players and employers as a vital step in professional training,” Mr Kigige said.
The Meru National Polytechnic principal appealed to students to use dialogue whenever they have concerns about their training.
