Wandayi, Babu Owino rebuke Ruto over plan to scrap HELB
Ugunja Member of Parliament (MP) Opiyo Wandayi and his Embakasi East counterpart Babu Owino have voiced their disapproval of President William Ruto's plan to scrap the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
In a tweet on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, Wandayi wondered what would become of the university students from poor backgrounds as they are expected to report back to school for a new semester.
"As you disband HELB, what happens to the poor university students who are due to report for their new semester this month? Do they also defer their studies for six months, which is historic?" Wandayi posed.
As you disband HELB, what happens to the poor university students who are due to report for their new semester this month? Do they also defer their studies for six months, which is historic? https://t.co/DwH2umXXVD— Hon. Opiyo Wandayi, CBS (@OpiyoWandayi) January 3, 2023
Babu Owino on his part warned Ruto against scaping HELB. He further reiterated Wandayi's sentiments that students from poor backgrounds will be the most affected by the president's plan.
"Ruto HELB wachana nayo Kabisa.Comrades are poor &ONLY Education will save them from the Yoke of poverty. For we live in an hour of change&challenge,decade of hope&fear,in an age of both knowledge and ignorance .The greater our knowledge increases the greater our ignorance unfolds," Babu Owino tweeted.
Ruto HELB wachana nayo Kabisa.Comrades are poor &ONLY Education will save them from the Yoke of poverty
For we live in an hour of change&challenge,decade of hope&fear,in an age of both knowledge and ignorance .The greater our knowledge increases the greater our ignorance unfolds. pic.twitter.com/mFsSC520ZS— Babu Owino (@HEBabuOwino) January 3, 2023
Ruto on January 1, 2023, said there will be changes in the high education sector, including the formation of the National Skill and Funding Council.
"The government will establish the NSFC that amalgamates HELB, TVET, and University Funding Board," Ruto said while speaking in Mombasa.
The president explained that the move was aimed at bridging the current higher education funding gap of up to 45 per cent.
Ruto said this plan will double the current HELB funding from Ksh11 billion to Ksh22 billion and even eliminate Helb loan interests.
"We know many universities are facing numerous challenges and significant debts as a result of the programme’s length," he added.
