Embu Senator has demanded for the reopening of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) application portal, which closed on September 14, arguing that the move has unfairly locked out many eligible students.
Senator Alexander Mundigi termed the premature closure of the portal as ill-timed, saying it has disadvantaged learners who had only recently acquired their National Identification (ID) cards.
Speaking in the Senate, Mundigi sought a statement from the Standing Committee on Education to explain the circumstances surrounding the closure at such a critical period. He insisted that the system should be reopened for at least 14 more days to give students who were left out an opportunity to apply.
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“The Education Committee should give us a clear strategy to ensure the HELB application process is continuous, predictable, accessible and fair for all students in the future. System failures should not jeopardise our students’ education. We must ensure a reliable and equitable process for education financing,” Mundigi said.
The concern comes against the backdrop of a government directive that extended the deadline for first-year university and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students to September 14, 2025. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the extension was meant to ensure inclusivity and that no student is left behind.
By Juma Ndigo
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