Gov't Announces 100 Per Cent Waiver on HELB Penalties

The Ministry of Education has announced a 100 per cent waiver on Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) penalties.

Speaking during HELB employers' forum in Nairobi on Thursday, Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed said the waiver will only apply on beneficiaries who clear the arrears in lump sum between May 3rd and June 30th, 2018.

"With 100 per cent penalty waiver until June, we call upon all the beneficiaries to take advantage of the generous offer by the government," Amina said.

Amina further urged all Universities to adopt HELB smart cards to enable them easily monitor repayment of loans disbursed to their students.

“This will accelerate the remittance process and remove the physical contact of university deans with student ledgers which often causes delay.

“The smart card which is already in use in KeMU (Kenya Methodist University), Masai Mara and Pwani universities will give students the responsibility to pay fees from the tuition e-wallet which is locked by a special system for that purpose only,” the Education CS said.

HELB Chief Executive Officer Charles Ringera noted that 78,000 beneficiaries owe the institution Sh8.1 billion.