Helb lacks funds to lend KMTC students, states Ogamba

Helb lacks funds to lend KMTC students, states Ogamba

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has informed Parliament that students at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) have not been receiving funding from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) because of insufficient budget.

Ogamba explained that certain universities and training institutions fall outside the ministry’s jurisdiction, and their budgets are processed through respective ministries.

The CS, who appeared before the National Assembly Education and Health committees, disclosed that HELB was allocated Sh84. 5 billion for this financial year, while the requirement is Sh138. 5 billion.

“I would like to let Parliament know that HELB provides estimates for students, both new and continuing, based on information supplied by universities and other institutions under the Ministry of Education, with the budget given to HELB for student funding typically for a predetermined number of students in universities and other institutions,” he stated.

Ogamba mentioned that HELB assisted KMTC with Sh1. 2 billion in 2022/2023 based on resources that were provided by the college via the Ministry of Health.

The CS noted that previously, HELB allocated Sh468 million for loans to KMTC students depending on support received from USAID for five years from 2014 to 2019, highlighting that the ministry’s policy is to support all students pursuing higher education.

“If HELB is given the role of supporting all students in higher learning institutions, funding must accompany that, and it is evident that we have not denied funding to students in higher learning institutions, with the ongoing challenge being budget, which is the elephant in the room,” he remarked.

KMTC Chief Executive Officer Kelly Oluoch conveyed to MPs that the Constitution requires supporting students at the institution, which has an enrollment of 68,000 students and 90 campuses nationwide.

Dr. Oluoch indicated that the exclusion of the college from regular funding raises serious concerns regarding equity, equality, and non-discrimination, which are firmly established in the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, with Article 27 affirming that every person is equal before the law.

He stated that by HELB limiting funding to students attending institutions under the Ministry of Education, the State might be neglecting its constitutional obligation to promote equal educational opportunities.

“We currently face a deficit of Sh1. 5 billion in unpaid school fees, with KMTC constantly seeking funding support to ensure that no student is left out of learning. We have 34 percent of those who gain admission not showing up, while 27 percent of our students postpone their studies due to a lack of fees,” he explained.