Ministry of Education Forms Committee to Review University Funding Model.
The government has set up a committee to assess the recently introduced university funding model, which has sparked concerns among students, parents, and education stakeholders.
The review aims to address the issues surrounding the model and ensure it serves students from diverse backgrounds.
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Professor Julius Migos clarified that the primary objective of this initiative is to refine the funding model so it better supports students from various socio-economic backgrounds.
This follows growing concerns regarding the new system’s impact on access to higher education.
While attending the inauguration of newly appointed Chancellor, Professor Emeritus Ratemo Michieka, in Tharaka Nithi, Migos underscored the government’s dedication to enhancing the education sector.
He emphasized the importance of cooperation among key stakeholders to achieve this goal.
Student Demonstrations and CS Migos’ Call for Dialogue
The announcement came shortly after CS Migos urged university students to cancel their planned protests against the controversial funding model.
Migos assured the students that two committees would be established to address their concerns and review the model’s shortcomings.
CS Ogamba, speaking on behalf of the Education Ministry, called for an open consultative process. He asked student leaders to reconsider their protests to allow for meaningful engagement on higher education matters, while ensuring minimal disruption to academic progress.
“To allow room for this open consultative process, university student leadership is requested to call off the demonstrations. This will afford the student community the chance to contribute effectively to issues pertaining to their higher education, while also progressing with their studies without disruption,” CS Ogamba said on Sunday.
Students had expressed dissatisfaction with the new model, arguing that it could potentially hinder access to higher education. The changes in the funding structure, particularly the decoupling of student placement from funding, raised concerns.
Previously, students were placed in universities and received funding based on the same process. Under the new system, students must apply separately for loans from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and scholarships from the Universities Fund (UF).
Breakdown of the New Funding Model
The revised funding framework combines scholarships, loans, and household contributions, using a scientifically developed means-testing instrument to categorize students into five bands based on their financial need. This is how the funding structure operates:
| Band | Scholarship | Loan | Household Contribution | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 (Most needy) | 70% | 25% | 5% | Ksh. 60,000 |
| Band 2-5 | Varying percentages | Varying percentages | Varying percentages | Ksh. 40,000 – 60,000 |
President William Ruto has been a vocal supporter of this model, emphasizing that students in need will receive financial support based on the level of their need, with upkeep allowances ranging from Ksh. 40,000 to Ksh. 60,000.
The neediest students, categorized in band one, will receive a 70% scholarship, a 25% loan, and a 5% contribution from their households, along with Ksh. 60,000 for upkeep expenses.
