By David†Ochami
Parliament has passed a Motion asking the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) to raise its loan allocations fund and diversify management.
An Act of Parliament established Helb in 1995 to advance loans on the basis of need for students joining public university under the Joint Admissions Board.
It also gives loans to about 200 masters and PhD students in public universities.
Lately, however, those from private colleges have been allowed to borrow small amounts.
Helb receives Sh3 billion annually from the Treasury and recovery of loans from past beneficiaries.
On Wednesday, MPs supported the Motion, brought by Vihiga MP Yusuf†Chanzu, and called for expansion of the loans by thrice as much to cover tertiary education and foreign university study.
Higher Education Assistant Minister Kilemi Mwiria, said Helb recovered Sh2 billion last year but received Sh1.45 billion for its loans’ programme this financial year.
He said there was need for more money from Treasury but added that when the economy expands, more parents would afford to pay for their children’s higher education besides facilitating enhanced disbursements to Helb.
Seconding the Motion, Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale said university fees promotes a class system that deprives the poor.
Dr Khalwale accused the Government of refusing to pay teachers from Kakamega East District who marked national examinations last year and added private wings at public universities had compromised the quality university education.
Chanzu said with ‘political will,’ the Government could afford to treble funding to Helb.
"Our budget can afford this rise without external support," said Chanzu, who argued that despite priding itself as the most prosperous economy in the East Africa, Kenya has demonstrated reluctance to disburse enough money to the education sector.
Dr Mwiria said despite Helb’s limited loan capacity, 80 per cent of students joining university apply for support, with 94 per cent securing loans.
Karachuonyo MP James Rege said students who get the minimum university entrance requirements should get full accommodation and tuition money from the board.
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Garsen MP Danson Mungatana said the Government should "find money from somewhere and treble funding for Helb."
He demanded ethnic balance in the management of Helb to check tribalism.
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