In a significant move aimed at streamlining tertiary education processes, the Kenyan government has put forth a proposal to merge the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) into a unified entity.

Under the proposed legislation unveiled by the Ministry of Education, the new entity, named the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Authority, will assume responsibility for various key functions previously carried out separately by KUCCPS and HELB.

The Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2024, outlines the Authority's mandate, which includes 10 main roles. These functions encompass student placement in tertiary institutions, provision of student loans, funding for infrastructure development and maintenance in tertiary institutions, establishment of a tertiary education savings scheme, and dissemination of information on available programs and their costs.

Moreover, the Authority will coordinate career guidance for individuals intending to pursue tertiary education, maintain a system for data management related to student placement and funding, and administer the Fund established under the Act. It will also provide advice to the Education Cabinet Secretary on matters concerning placement and funding within the tertiary education sector.

One notable change proposed in the bill pertains to the repayment model for student loans. According to the new provisions, students will commence loan repayment one year after completing their studies. Upon securing employment, loan beneficiaries must inform their employers of their loan status. Employers will then be mandated to deduct predetermined monthly amounts from the wages or remuneration of the loanee, remitting these deductions to the Authority within fifteen days after the end of each month.

Furthermore, individuals employed outside Kenya will enter into agreements with the government regarding a repayment schedule, with the Authority tasked with developing a framework for loan recovery from borrowers residing abroad.

This comprehensive overhaul of the tertiary education placement and funding system underscores the government's commitment to enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability within the education sector, ultimately ensuring equitable access to quality education for all Kenyan citizens.