Blow to KMTC Students as HELB lacks funds for their fees

Blow to KMTC Students as HELB lacks funds for their fees

Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students have been deprived of HELB loans owing to a deficit in the budget.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba informed lawmakers that funding was not designated for KMTC learners under the present HELB framework.

He clarified that not all educational institutions are directly under the Ministry of Education.

Certain institutions, such as KMTC, funnel their budgets through other ministries, including Health.

Ogamba was appearing before the National Assembly’s Education and Health Committees.

He disclosed that HELB had been allocated Sh84. 5 billion for this financial year.

Nevertheless, the board requires Sh138. 5 billion to finance all eligible students.

This results in a shortfall exceeding Sh54 billion.

Ogamba stated that HELB distributes funds based on information from institutions that fall under his ministry.

Given that KMTC operates under the Ministry of Health, its requirements are not inherently factored into HELB’s planning.

He noted that KMTC received Sh1. 2 billion from HELB during the 2022/2023 financial year.

That financial support was made feasible through resources provided by the Ministry of Health.

Before that, KMTC benefited from USAID assistance via HELB.

Between 2014 and 2019, HELB allocated Sh468 million to KMTC students with the backing of USAID.

Ogamba affirmed that it remains government policy to support all students pursuing higher education.

He indicated that coordination among ministries is essential to ensure that no student is neglected.

The CS acknowledged that the existing model restricts HELB’s capacity to serve institutions outside his jurisdiction.

He urged Parliament to contemplate more inclusive budgeting in future strategies.

Ogamba also underscored the necessity for precise data submission by institutions to facilitate appropriate allocations.

Lawmakers voiced concern that KMTC students are being unjustly excluded.

They advocated for immediate reforms to render HELB funding attainable for all public training institutions.

The CS assured the committee that discussions were ongoing to refine funding procedures.

He encouraged institutions such as KMTC to collaborate closely with the Treasury and relevant ministries.

As funding disparities increase, students persist in shouldering the burden.

The future of inclusive higher education, MPs cautioned, relies on equitable funding frameworks.