70% of Eligible Students Yet to Apply for University Funding as Deadline Looms
According to Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, 70% of college-eligible students have not applied for government funding.
This occurs two weeks prior to the application deadline, when parents and students are questioning the effectiveness of the funding model.
MPs argued that the students would be prevented from enrolling in universities and TVETs because the categorization and distribution of scholarships and loans had not been completed.
As the ministry processed the disbursement of funds, Machogu responded by saying that students would be admitted.
559,021 students who are qualified for admission to TVET institutions have not yet applied for placement, according to Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machago.
According to Machogu, 703,121 students who scored below C+ on the KCSE in 2022 qualified for placement in TVET institutions to pursue various courses.
Nonetheless, only 145,060 students have submitted applications for placement in the institutions. This accounts for 21% of the total placement.
Thursday was Machogu’s appearance before the National Assembly Education Committee.
“All students with a grade below C+ are eligible for placement in TVET to pursue a variety of courses. 703,121 students will sit for the KCSE in 2022. This indicates that 559,021 students who are eligible for TVETS have not yet applied for placement, according to the CS.
He stated that funding issues have posed grave hazards to higher education institutions.
The CS added that admissions to TVET institutions occur continuously throughout the year, and it is anticipated that more students will be assigned and admitted.
The number of students enrolled in TVET institutions increased from 60,667 in 2018 to 327,775 in 2022.
In the 2018–2019 fiscal year, the government introduced a capitation grant and set the annual tuition fee at Sh56,420.
“Each trainee was to receive a flat rate capitation of Sh30,000 per year of training, with the balance to be raised through household contributions and loans from the Higher Education Loans Board,” Machogu explained.
Despite the rising enrollment in TVET institutions, the annual budget allocation remained unchanged at Sh5.2 billion.
He stated that during the previous fiscal year 2022–23, there was a Sh4.64 billion capitation deficit. The annual per-student capitation grant was reduced from Sh30,000 to as low as Sh13,000.
Similarly, the average loan per trainee decreased from Sh40,000 per year to Sh35,000.
With the new funding model, according to Machogu, 42,144 trainees in TVET will be completely supported by the government, and their families will not be required to make any contributions.
Applicants classified as vulnerable will receive 80% of the government scholarship and 20% of the program expenses as a loan. Their households will make no contribution.
Those classified as having acute financial need will receive a scholarship covering 70% of their program costs and a loan covering 30%. Their households will also be exempt from payment.
Those deemed to be in need will receive a 50% scholarship and a 30% loan, with their households paying 20% of the total cost of the program.
The less needy will receive a scholarship for 32% of the total cost of the program and a loan for 48%. Their households will pay 20% of the total cost of the program.
The secretary of state stated that the government has also allocated Sh5.2 billion to sustain 345,802 continuing TVET trainees.
Each apprentice will receive a capitation grant of Sh15,038 rather than the stipulated Sh30,000.
Machogu specified that students will be categorized as vulnerable, exceedingly needy, needy, or less needy based on their families’ income levels.
The new model of university funding is applicable only to the KCSE cohort of 2022. Other students will continue to use the previous model of university funding.
The CS has assured that the circular will be issued by the end of the week, and first-year students are scheduled to begin classes on Monday, August 28.
70% of Eligible Students Yet to Apply for University Funding as Deadline Looms