Katsina TVET trainees lament delay in training allowances, grants

Trainees participating in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program at the Federal Polytechnic Daura in Katsina State are voicing strong concerns over the prolonged delay in receiving their training allowances and grants. The Federal Ministry of Education is responsible for these payments, but trainees report a significant lack of communication regarding the reasons for the delay.

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They promised to give us allowances, a grant and certificate after graduation. But none of these was given to us.

Many participants have been forced to cover expenses, including transportation between Malumfashi and Daura, using their own money throughout the six-month training period. Abdullahi Mohammad, one of the trainees, lamented that the promised allowances, grants, and certificates have not been provided, leaving many frustrated and unable to apply their newly acquired skills effectively. "If they had given us what they promised us (grants), after the training, our story would have been different by now," he stated.

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I spent a lot of money on transportation during the training programme and yet there is nothing to show for it.

Aisha Musa shared a similar sentiment, highlighting the financial strain. "I spent a lot of money on transportation during the training programme and yet there is nothing to show for it," she said. The trainees are urging the Federal Ministry of Education and the TVET program management to fulfill their commitments and provide a clear update on the situation to alleviate the growing tension and improve transparency.

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We urge the management of Federal Polytechnic Daura, Katsina TVET Training Centre to provide a comprehensive update regarding the issues raised to ease tension and improve transparency.

Responding to the complaints, Dr. Aziz Fatai, the Coordinator of the TVET program at the Federal Polytechnic Daura Centre, confirmed that the issues have been escalated to the TVET management. He assured trainees that outstanding stipends are being processed for payment soon. Start-up grants will be released following the assessment of participant folders and the certification process. Dr. Fatai explained that the payment delay is due to the ministry's ongoing efforts to harmonize biometric attendance activities across various centers.

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Payment to students has been processed. Payment is delayed due to efforts by the ministry to harmonise the biometric attendance activities of centres.