Student Exclusion Concerns as Machogu Appears Before MPs Over New Varsity Funding Model
This morning, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu will address the new University Funding Model before the House of Representatives.
The Education Committee of the National Assembly has scheduled a meeting with the CS for 10 a.m. The meeting follows concerns that students may miss out on loans because they are too young, as well as glitches in the online application system, which closes on Sunday, August 27.
Students will receive both government scholarships and loans, based on their level of financial need, under the new financing model that goes into effect this September, when the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Education (KCSE) candidate admissions begin.
The students with the greatest need will receive 70% scholarships and 30% loans, while those with less need will receive 53% scholarships, 40% loans, and 7% from their families. Students with less financial need will receive 38% scholarships, 55% loans, and 7% from their families.
Legislators oppose the model and are urging the government to revert to the previous model, where learners paid as little as Ksh. 16,000 annually to enroll in degree programs.
Yesterday (Wednesday), the formula sparked an acrimonious debate, prompting the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, to instruct the Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung’wah, to request a statement from the Ministry of Education.
Lawmakers demanded its halt, citing inadequacies in assuring equal access to education across the nation.
Jared Okello, a member of parliament for Nyando, requested a statement on the high university fees and the crisis of unclear criteria for the distribution of scholarships and Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans to vulnerable families unable to pay fees.
Okello lamented that thousands of low-income students risk exclusion. Martha Wangari, an MP for Gilgil, Omboko Milemba, an MP for Emuhaya, and Danson Mwashako, an MP for Wundanyi, all expressed similar sentiments.
According to HELB director Charles Ringera, the new financing system will allocate funds based on four criteria: program selection, household income band, positive performance, and government priority areas.
President William Ruto announced the new model at the beginning of this year and guaranteed that students would receive adequate funding to cover the cost of the program they select.
“No student will ever be left behind,” President Ruto promised after unveiling the new model.
MPs demanded that the government revoke the new university funding model.
Minors Amboko Milemba (Emuhaya) stated that the issue had created a dire situation in the nation. According to him, the portal that students are required to use to register for loans or scholarships was overloaded and inaccessible.
“Another issue is that over 4,000 students without IDs are unable to access the loans, despite the fact that there is space to use parents’ IDs,” said Omboko.
Kimani Ichung’wah, leader of the majority, stated that he will ask the Education Cabinet Secretary to ensure that no student is denied university admission due to age or fees.
Student Exclusion Concerns as Machogu Appears Before MPs Over New Varsity Funding Model
