Ministry of Education to Merge KUCCPS and HELB
The government has unveiled plans to consolidate the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) and the Higher Education Loans Board into a unified entity, as disclosed in a new bill presented by the Ministry of Education. The proposed Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Authority will assume the responsibilities of these two organizations.
According to the details outlined in the proposed Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2024, the authority is expected to undertake ten primary functions.
ALSO READ: Ministry of Education Public Participation: Invitation for Feedback on Education Policies and Bills
This includes responsibilities such as facilitating student placement in tertiary education, provision of student loans, funding infrastructure development and maintenance in tertiary institutions, establishing a tertiary education savings scheme, disseminating information on available programs and their costs, and mobilizing resources to supplement government allocations for tertiary education.
The bill emphasizes the importance of the Authority in providing coordinated career guidance to individuals intending to pursue tertiary education, establishing and maintaining a system for data management related to student placement and tertiary education funding, and administering the fund established under this Act.
Additionally, the Authority will play an advisory role to the Education Cabinet Secretary on matters related to placement and funding.
ALSO READ: NYS Reduces KCSE Grade Requirement From D to D- (Minus) for Wider Recruitment
Regarding student loans, the bill proposes a significant change to the repayment model. Students will be obligated to commence repaying their loans one year after completing their studies. Upon securing employment, beneficiaries must inform their employers about the status of their loan.
Employers, in turn, are required to notify the Authority in writing within three months of employing a loanee.
The employer is then expected to deduct monthly amounts, as determined by the Authority, from the wages or remuneration of the loanee until the loan is fully repaid or the individual exits their employment, whichever occurs first. Deductions are to be remitted by employers within fifteen days after the end of each month.
Furthermore, individuals in the employment sector will enter into an agreement with the government concerning a repayment schedule. The proposed legislation also outlines that the Authority will develop a framework for the recovery of loans from borrowers residing outside Kenya.
Ministry of Education to Merge KUCCPS and HELB
