Students in Private Universities to Fund their Own Education
Proposed changes to the University Act 2012 in Kenya may force thousands of students in private universities to fund their own education.
The current law allows the government to fund private universities through conditional grants, but the Universities (Amendment) Act 2023 seeks to transfer the cost of tuition to government-sponsored students in private universities.
The bill has faced opposition from education stakeholders, who argue that it discriminates against students and violates their rights.
The National Parents Association (NPA) has described the bill as a travesty of children’s rights, stating that it limits access to university education to only those who can afford it.
Critics of the bill argue that it will undermine the progress made in enhancing access to university education, resulting in student dropouts, particularly among those from underprivileged backgrounds.
Barring the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) from placing undergraduate students in private universities is seen as an indirect way to raise the university entry grade from C+.
The bill seeks to change three sections of the principal University Act No.42 of 2012, abolishing the issuance of conditional grants to private universities and stopping KUCCPS from placing regular students in private universities.
The bill’s drafters claim that its purpose is to safeguard public funds from misuse by private entities that are not subject to scrutiny under the Public Finance Management regulatory framework.
However, critics argue that it limits access to education and violates the rights of students. They warn that mass dropouts of university students should be expected if the bill becomes law.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (Kuppet) deputy secretary-general, Moses Nthurima, warns that the bill will have negative consequences if it is passed into law.
In conclusion, the proposed Universities (Amendment) Act 2023 seeks to transfer tuition costs to government-sponsored students in private universities, leading to widespread criticism from education stakeholders who see it as discriminatory and a violation of children’s rights.
Critics warn that the bill will undermine the gains made in enhancing access to university education and result in mass student dropouts.
Students in Private Universities to Fund their Own Education