Embakasi East Constituency Member of Parliament has demanded for an introduction of free secondary school education.
Babu Owino through his official X account on Sunday, July 21, 2024, said nullifying of school fees for first year students placed in universities by Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) was not enough.
Babu Owino on HELB
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker further demanded for an increase in the allocations of Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans to university students.
“This is not enough. We want free secondary school education, and HELB to be increased for comrades,” Babu Owino stated in a statement shared via his X account.
Babu Owino’s statement comes a day after the government through Ministry of Education nullified fees for first year students placed in universities by KUCCPS.
Fees nullified
Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala in a statement dated July 19, 2024, said a new fees structure will be issued from August 5, 2024.
She advised parents and guardians to ignore earlier communication from the institutions.
“The Ministry of Education wishes to inform the public, particularly parents and guardians of students that the fees to be paid by students and their families as relates to the full cost of each degree programme as previously communicated in the admission letters is hereby nullified and does not apply anymore,” the statement reads in part.
KUCCPS placed the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) 2023 cohort of students in various degree programmes.
However, there are concerns that thousands of students set to join universities in September might miss out on government funding.
Omtatah on funding model
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah on Saturday, July 20, 2024, lamented over the impact of the new universities and colleges’ funding model implemented by President William Ruto’s administration.
According to the lawmaker, the model has transferred the burden of higher education to parents who are currently struggling to meet the cost of living.
Omtatah revealed that he has so far received messages from students contemplating dropping out or deferring their studies due to high education costs in the country.
“A number of comrades have reached out decrying the now high fees charged by universities compounded by the high cost of accommodation and upkeep. It’s important for education to be accessible to all who want to pursue it,” Omtatah said in a statement.
The New Higher Education Funding Model was unveiled by President Ruto on May 3, 2023, to address challenges encountered by public universities and Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) institutions.
