Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, the Principal Secretary for Higher Education in Kenya, has staunchly defended the recently introduced university funding model, asserting that it represents a significant financial relief for parents across the country. Speaking at an event in Shinyalu, Kakamega County, Dr. Inyangala emphasized that the new model offers substantial reductions in the amount of money that families are required to pay for their children’s university education.
Government Support for Higher Education
The Principal Secretary highlighted that under the new funding model, the government would shoulder a large portion of the tuition fees, thereby easing the financial burden on families. She assured parents that they would only be required to pay between 5% and 40% of the total cost of their children’s university programs, depending on their financial capabilities.
“Families will only support their children by paying fees ranging from 5% to 40% of the cost of the program. I can assure you that families will pay as low as Ksh3,000 in school fees per semester for their children in university,” Dr. Inyangala stated.
This new approach is designed to ensure that no child is left behind due to financial constraints, with the government stepping in to cover the majority of the costs. Dr. Inyangala’s comments come at a critical time when concerns have been raised about the affordability of higher education in Kenya, with many fearing that the new model might increase the cost of university education.
Dispelling Misinformation
In her address, Dr. Inyangala took the opportunity to dismiss widespread claims that the new funding model would make university education unaffordable and out of reach for the majority of Kenyan families. She insisted that these claims were unfounded and untrue, reassuring parents that the government is committed to ensuring that higher education remains accessible to all.
“There is absolutely no reason why any child should not be able to access university education or participate in any program because the government is standing with her people to support them. The government is meeting them at their various levels of need,” she remarked.
Dr. Inyangala further clarified that the cost of university programs has been carefully determined, and contrary to popular belief, the government has not increased these costs. Instead, the new funding model is structured to ensure that the majority of the expenses are covered by the government, with families only contributing a small portion of the total cost.
Support from HELB
To further ease the financial burden on families, the Principal Secretary pointed out that the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) would play a crucial role in supporting students. Families will be required to cover the remaining 20% of the cost of university programs, but with the assistance of HELB, this amount will be manageable for most families.
“We have not increased the cost of programs. The government is committed to supporting up to 80% of the cost of university programs, while families will cover the remaining 20% with support from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB),” Dr. Inyangala reiterated.
Conclusion
The new university funding model, as defended by Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, is aimed at making higher education more accessible and affordable for Kenyan families. By covering a substantial portion of the tuition fees and ensuring that no child is left behind, the government is working to fulfill its commitment to support education at all levels. As the model is implemented, parents across Kenya can expect to pay significantly reduced fees, making university education a more attainable goal for many.
