University students have been urged to report institutions asking for seven per cent of school fees for them to be admitted.
This is after MPs on Wednesday sought to know why some universities were declining students who have not paid fees yet a circular was issued to the institutions to admit students with or without fees.
Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala said in a meeting with university Vice Chancellors, they denied chasing any student from school or demanding before admission.
“Following the complaints that students are being turned away, we actively engaged all the vice-chancellors. They held a meeting on September 8, 2023, and they all confirmed that none of them has turned a student away or demanded money other than the money for accommodation,” Inyangala said.
“We encourage any student who has actually been asked to pay the seven per cent to come to my office with evidence and I am going to engage the Vice Chancellors immediately based on the facts.”
In a circular issued to universities and colleges on August 24, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu directed all institutions across the country to admit 2022 KCSE students, pending the processing of their applications for funding.
Machogu said no student should be sent home for reporting without school fees adding that they shall release funds to cater for the students.
During the meeting, HELB CEO Charles Ringera confirmed that they are yet to release funds to the institutions.
He however did not mention when the funds are likely to be disbursed.
“We are still following up with the Ministry and Treasury for release of funds. As of now, we have not released any money to the universities; whether continuing students or the ones who are coming in for the first time,” Ringera said.
According to the PS, the government has released an enhanced capitation to the institutions in order to cater for continuing students.
The capitation is generally from the government but not from the Sh30 billion allocated to helb in the 2023-24 budget.
“They requested an enhanced three-month capitation to help them keep operational while we are processing the funds for the first years. So, we are continuously engaging Vice Chancellors and we are supporting them,” Inyangala said.
MPs urged the Ministry to fasten the release of funds to the institutions as it is hard for them to operate without money.
