Trainees enrolled in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme at the Federal Polytechnic Daura in Katsina State have lamented the Federal Ministry of Education's failure to settle their training allowances. Some of the affected trainees, speaking to The PUNCH in Kano on Tuesday, decried the prolonged delay in payment without any official explanation.

Abdullahi Mohammad, one of the trainees, disclosed that the silence surrounding the non payment of allowances and the promised grant had created frustration among participants. "They promised to give us allowances, a grant, and a certificate after graduation. But none of these was given to us," Mohammed said. "If they had given us what they promised us (grants), after the training, our story would have been different by now because we would have put those skills to efficient use."

Another trainee, Aisha Musa, regretted spending considerable money on transport from Malumfashi to Daura throughout the training period with no result. "I spent a lot of money on transportation during the training program, and yet there is nothing to show for it," Musa stated, adding, "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."

The affected trainees called on the Federal Ministry of Education and the TVET programme management to fulfil the promises made to them, so that the time and resources committed to completing the programme are not wasted.

When contacted, the Coordinator, TVET, Federal Polytechnic Daura Centre, Dr Aziz Fatai, revealed that the trainees' complaints have been forwarded to TVET management. He assured that outstanding stipends would soon be paid to the affected trainees, noting that start up funding would follow the conclusion of an ongoing assessment of centres. "Payment to students has been processed. Payment is delayed due to efforts by the ministry to harmonise the Biometric attendance activities of centres," he added.