KMTC seeks HELB funding as 20,000 students forfeit training slots over fees

The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) has urged Members of Parliament to secure funding from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to address the issue of students losing their training slots due to lack of government financial support. During a meeting with the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Committee chaired by Hon.

Musa Sirma, KMTC CEO Dr. Kelly Oluoch highlighted the challenges faced by the institution's 89,586 students who are excluded from funding because KMTC falls under the Ministry of Health instead of the Ministry of Education. Dr. Oluoch argued that KMTC should not have to change ministries to receive funding, and called for national financing legislation to recognize KMTC trainees as post-secondary students deserving equitable state funding.

The current situation is causing a crisis in admissions, with 20,000 students who have been placed through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) failing to report due to the absence of government scholarships or loans. Committee members have suggested implementing a declaration of ability to pay fees before placement to minimize the wastage of admission slots.

Hon. Clive Gisairo proposed that KMTC and KUCCPS introduce a disclaimer during course applications, informing students that there is no funding from the government for KMTC courses. Hon. Sirma supported KMTC's plea, questioning why an institution responsible for training the majority of the country's healthcare workers should be excluded from the Ksh.

300 billion education financing package. Dr. Oluoch defended KMTC's placement under the Ministry of Health, citing examples of specialized colleges staying under line ministries such as the Bukura Agricultural College under Agriculture and the Kenya Water Institute under Water. To ensure equitable funding for all students in tertiary institutions across ministries, Dr. Oluoch proposed that the Tertiary Education Funding Authority (TEFA) be placed under the National Treasury.