University Fees Increase Plan Countered by New HELB Loan Proposal
The University Fund, a government agency tasked with developing funding formulas for public universities, proposed an increase in Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) disbursements as part of the new proposals to raise tuition to Ksh52,000.
The agency’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Geoffrey Monari, explained to the media on February 21 that increasing loan disbursements would assist students who are struggling to make ends meet.
He noted that many students would be forced to drop out of school if the government did not simultaneously increase HELB and fees.
“For consideration, the government should then consider how much the loan will be increased for the fees and upkeep for the students. Otherwise, if you increase fees without the loans, then it becomes a disadvantage to the needy students,” Monari proposed.
Despite this, he maintained his support for the fee increase proposals, noting that many institutions were struggling to fund their academic programs.
The Presidential Working Group on Education Reform proposed increasing university tuition for government students from Ksh16,000 to Ksh52,000.
On the other hand, Monari indicated that there were plans in place to revise the funding formula for the institutions of higher education that were drowning in debt.
The chief executive officer stated that the employment rate of university students would be a consideration in the new move.
“Currently, we do not have a formula for capital infrastructure projects. We will also look at how many graduates are there and how employable they are,” he stated.
Due to the strained financial conditions of educational institutions, proposals to increase the minimum fees for university students were made.
According to the task force, universities owed a total of Ksh56 billion to various agencies and Saccos.
University Fees Increase Plan Countered by New HELB Loan Proposal
