The Ministry of Education has established a committee to review the controversial university funding model that has drawn widespread concern from students, parents, and various education stakeholders. Education Cabinet Secretary Professor Julius Migos made the announcement in Tharaka Nithi, during the inauguration of newly appointed Chancellor, Professor Emeritus Ratemo Michieka. Migos emphasized that the initiative aims to ensure the model is fair and accommodative of students from all backgrounds, addressing key concerns raised about the financial burden on students.
The review comes amid rising tensions from university students, who have been threatening to stage protests against the new model. The students argue that the system, which delinks student placement from funding, risks leaving many without access to higher education. Under the new structure, students must now submit applications to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and Universities Fund (UF) for loans and scholarships, respectively, instead of relying on automatic funding linked to university placement.
Rising Concerns Over the Funding Model
The shift in university funding has caused unease among students, with many expressing concerns that it could exacerbate financial inequalities. The new model combines scholarships, loans, and household contributions based on a scientifically determined scale, which assesses students using a means-testing instrument. The instrument classifies students into five bands based on their financial needs.
For instance, students in the neediest category (band one) are eligible for a 70% government scholarship, a 25% loan, and a 5% household contribution. Additionally, they receive Ksh.60,000 for upkeep. On the other hand, students from wealthier backgrounds will receive less support, requiring them to make greater household contributions.
While President William Ruto has been vocal in his support of the new model, promising that it will provide eligible students with between Ksh.40,000 and Ksh.60,000 for upkeep depending on their needs, many students remain dissatisfied. They argue that the means-testing instrument does not sufficiently capture the financial realities faced by some households, particularly in rural or marginalized areas.
Government’s Response to Student Protests
In response to the growing discontent, CS Migos urged university students to suspend their planned protests and engage in dialogue with the government. Almost a week before the announcement of the committee, Migos had made an appeal to student leaders, requesting them to call off the demonstrations.
“In order to allow room for this open consultative process, the university student leadership is requested to call off the demonstrations,” Migos said. “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.”
Migos reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of the students, stating that the establishment of two committees—one focused on reviewing the funding model and the other on broader student concerns—would provide the necessary platform for resolving the issue. He called for collaboration among key stakeholders, including university administrators, parents, and students, to ensure that the model could be fine-tuned in a way that balances equity and access.
Addressing the Funding Gap
One of the primary issues at the heart of the controversy is the potential for the new model to widen the gap between students from different socio-economic backgrounds. The delinking of university placement from funding has shifted the responsibility onto students to navigate a more complex financial aid system. While the means-testing instrument is designed to provide equitable access to scholarships and loans, critics argue that the method may not fully account for factors such as hidden household debts, regional cost-of-living differences, and the real burden on families already struggling with economic hardship.
The committee’s task will be to review the structure of the funding model and suggest adjustments that could address these concerns. Some stakeholders are calling for more transparency in the means-testing process, as well as additional safeguards to ensure that no student is unfairly excluded from higher education opportunities due to financial constraints.
Looking Ahead
As the government moves forward with the review of the university funding model, all eyes are on the committee’s findings and the subsequent adjustments that may be made. For now, the suspension of student protests signals a willingness to engage in dialogue, but the success of the process will largely depend on how well the government can address the underlying concerns about fairness and accessibility in the current system.
In the meantime, students, parents, and educators alike will be closely monitoring the developments, hoping that the review process leads to a funding model that upholds the right to education for all students, regardless of their financial background.
