University and college nursing students across public and private institutions will be required to pay Ksh20,000 as an indexing fee.
This was after a proposal was made by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) to increase the fee from the current Ksh9,550.
According to a notice seen by Kenyans.co.ke, nursing students from the University of Nairobi have started rushing to pay the Ksh9,550 before the Ksh20,000 fee comes into effect.
A notice from the leadership of the Nairobi University Students’ Association (NUNSA) advised its members to pay the previous fee before the new one comes into effect.
“All comrades, who have the capacity and are in a position, to make their payments as soon as possible to avoid the extra charges,” NUNSA advised nursing students.
The University of Nairobi Students Association (UNSA) on the other hand has vowed to oppose the move.
“This is divide and rule tactic. Today it is nursing students, tomorrow it will be medicine students,” one of UNSA officials speaking to Kenyans.co.ke stated.
The student leader remarked that UNSA would explore all ways to petition and oppose the doubling of nursing indexing fees.
The indexing fee will also affect students who are undertaking midwifery programmes and seek to practice in Kenya upon graduation.
Students are normally required to pay the indexing fee within 60 days following admission to a training school.
“The Council through its Indexing Section verifies submissions to ensure that students admitted to training schools meet the minimum admission criteria for their programme of choice,” NCK states on the reason for paying the registration fee.
“The indexing details are to track your progress through training and determine your eligibility to sit the Council’s licensure examination.”
Students who pay the required amount are given a unique index number that becomes a unique reference throughout their career in the medical field.
