Sh19 billion budget deficit delays HELB funding for KMTC students
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba explained to the National Assembly’s joint committee on Education and Health that current regulations, have created significant barriers to supporting students in institutions like KMTC.
A combination of a Sh19 billion budget shortfall and a lack of legal clarity has delayed funding for Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba explained to the National Assembly’s joint committee on Education and Health that current regulations, along with the sector-based budgeting approach, have created significant barriers to supporting students in institutions like KMTC.
Ogamba clarified that while the ministry aims to support all students, the legal framework currently does not allow for such assistance in institutions outside the Ministry of Education's direct oversight.
"It is important to clarify that some universities and training institutions, such as KMTC, are outside the Ministry of Education. This reality has implications on the budgeting process," he said.
Under the current system, HELB’s allocation is set for a specific number of students in universities and other institutions directly under the Ministry of Education.
This structure leaves institutions like KMTC without guaranteed funding, as they do not fall under the ministry’s purview.
"Because of the sector-based line ministry budgeting process, Helb is not provided with the resources to support tertiary education and training institutions outside the Ministry of Education," Ogamba added.
However, Ogamba reassured the committee that if the ministry were to receive adequate resources, it would be able to extend its financial support to students in other tertiary institutions like KMTC.
He also pointed out that Helb has previously worked with non-ministry institutions, including KMTC, where financial support was based on the respective institution's available resources.
He cited the arrangements for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic years as examples of this collaboration.
The CS concluded by stressing that while the government strives to assist all students, the lack of a clear legal framework and the current financial constraints have complicated the process, especially for institutions outside the Ministry of Education’s direct control.