HELB Budget Cuts to Lock Out Over 153,000 Students from University Admission
More than 153,292 students scheduled to join universities in September 2024 are at risk of missing admission due to budget cuts and underfunding of the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) and the Universities Fund by the Treasury.
These students, already placed in universities through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), face a significant crisis following a Sh710 million reduction in Helb’s allocation and a Sh2.6 billion cut in the Universities Fund for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The revised budget estimates reveal that Helb’s allocation has been reduced to Sh31.18 billion from the initial Sh31.89 billion, while the University Funding has decreased from Sh19.55 billion to Sh16.921 billion. This funding is designated only for students in their second to sixth years.
The State Department of Higher Learning highlighted that 153,292 first-year students, who completed their KCSE exams in 2023 and were placed by KUCCPS, are inadequately funded and are expected to report to universities in September 2024.
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Committee’s Concerns and Discussions
During a National Assembly Education Committee meeting, Higher Learning Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala stated that the continuous underfunding has resulted in a Sh22.9 billion budget deficit, including Sh13.7 billion under Helb and Sh9.1 billion under the Universities Fund.
This deficit jeopardizes the funding of loans and scholarships for students nationwide. The committee, led by Julius Melly, questioned the National Treasury’s criteria for implementing the budget cuts.
Parliamentarians’ Reactions
Igembe North MP Julius Taitumu questioned whether the budgetary deductions were based on statistics or merely an attempt to balance the budget. Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera expressed concern over the decision to further cut funding in critical areas, considering the existing underfunding had already caused issues among students.
Mandera South MP Haro Abdul found it disheartening that graduates might miss admission due to underfunding and feared current students might drop out.
Nyamira Women Rep Jerusha Momanyi argued that the ongoing crisis would persist without adequate funding in critical areas.
Narok MP Tonkei Rebbeca echoed similar concerns about the reduction in university funding.
The National Treasury officials admitted to making the cuts without consulting the State Department but expressed hope for future consultations to rationalize the budget.
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Committee Chair Melly directed both parties to engage in consultations to ensure adequate funding for crucial sectors under the Higher Education Department.
He emphasized the need to pressurize the Budget Committee to address the matter and suggested that the Treasury should have collaborated with the State Department to cut funding from non-critical areas instead of essential ones.
Helb Budget Cuts to Lock Out Over 153,000 Students from University Admission
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