Nursing Students to Pay Ksh20,000 Indexing Fee

Nursing Students to Pay Ksh20,000 Indexing Fee

Nursing Students to Pay Ksh20,000 Indexing Fee

Students studying nursing at universities and colleges, both public and private, will have to pay an indexing fee of Ksh20,000. This came after the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) suggested raising the fee from Ksh9,550 as it is now.

Nursing students at the University of Nairobi have reportedly begun racing to pay the Ksh9,550 before the Ksh20,000 cost takes effect, according to a notice that was seen. The Nairobi University Students’ Association (NUNSA) leadership sent out a memo advising its members to pay the old price before the new one takes effect.

Nursing students were instructed by NUNSA, “All comrades, who have the capacity  and are in a position, to make their payments as soon as possible to avoid the  extra charges.” On the other hand, the University of Nairobi Students Association (UNSA) has  promised to oppose the action.

This is a strategy of divide and rule. One UNSA official said, “Today it’s nursing students, tomorrow it’s medicine students.” The student representative stated that UNSA would look into every avenue to petition against the increase in nursing indexing costs. Additionally impacted by the indexing charge are students enrolled in midwifery programs who intend to practice in Kenya after graduation. After being admitted to a training school, students typically have sixty days to pay the indexing fee.

Regarding the rationale for paying the registration fee, NCK notes that “the Council,  through its Indexing Section, verifies submissions to ensure that students  admitted to training schools meet the minimum admission criteria for their program of choice.” “The purpose of the indexing details is to monitor your training progress and  assess your suitability to take the Council’s licensing exam.” After making the necessary payment, students receive a unique index number that  they can use as a reference just once during their medical career.