Gov’t disburses Ksh.2.7 billion for HELB loans

The government, through the Ministry of Education, has disbursed Ksh.2.7 billion to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to benefit 180,000 legible students ahead of the 2022/2023 semester examinations.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, in a statement to newsrooms on Friday, said the move was meant to cushion the vulnerable students in both public and private institutions who are beneficiaries of the programme.

“The Ministry of Education is aware that the majority of government-sponsored students in our public and private universities are preparing to sit their end-of-semester examinations for the 2022/2023 Academic Calendar,” CS Machogu stated.

“To enable the affected students to be registered with their respective universities ahead of the examinations, I wish to announce that the National Treasury and Economic Planning has released Ksh.2.7 billion for the student loans and bursaries for 180,000 legible students.”

The CS consequently ordered all universities to allow their learners under the HELB program to undertake their exams.

“I, therefore, wish to assure all the affected students that they will be legible for registration ahead of the examinations,” he noted.

“Further, I direct all universities to ensure that all beneficiaries of government loans and bursaries are given the opportunity to sit their end-of-semester examinations as scheduled.”

The announcement by the CS follows recent industrial action from most public universities over lack of funds to run school programmes.