Kenya’s recent overhaul of its university funding model was introduced with the noble intention of addressing the socioeconomic disparities in higher education. By categorizing families into five income bands, the model aimed to ensure that financial support was targeted where it was most needed. However, this well-meaning policy is rapidly proving to be a flawed and ineffective solution that could deepen the divide between the rich and the poor, rather than bridging it.
The new funding bands are structured as follows:
- Band 1: Families with a monthly income up to KSh 5,995
- Band 2: Families with a monthly income up to KSh 23,670
- Band 3: Families with a monthly income up to KSh 70,000
- Band 4: Families with a monthly income up to KSh 120,000
- Band 5: Families with a monthly income above KSh 120,000
At first glance, these bands seem logically designed to provide proportional support based on financial need. However, the reality on the ground is far from the ideal.
In a recent fundraising event, it was encountered that four students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds were set to join university. Despite their clear need for financial aid, they found themselves ensnared by the very system meant to help them. The issue was not isolated; numerous reports highlight similar problems, where genuinely needy students are wrongly placed into higher income bands, thereby disqualifying them from the financial assistance they require.
This misallocation is not merely a bureaucratic hiccup but a glaring failure of the Ministry of Education’s ability to grasp the true economic realities of Kenyan families. The principal secretary in charge of this process must be held accountable for this oversight. The placement system seems arbitrary and lacks a scientific approach to assessing students’ financial needs, which results in a scenario where the wealthier and more connected can exploit the system while the truly vulnerable are neglected.
The repercussions of this flawed model extend beyond mere policy failure; they strike at the heart of the principle of equal opportunity. Education, traditionally seen as the great equalizer, risks becoming yet another avenue of privilege if the system is rigged against the less fortunate. President William Ruto’s administration has underscored the role of education in alleviating poverty, but this funding model undermines that goal by reinforcing inequality rather than reducing it.
The solution is glaringly clear: make education free. The resources currently diverted into this ineffective funding scheme could be better utilized to provide quality education to every Kenyan child, irrespective of their family’s income. By consolidating funds into a comprehensive free education system, the government could ensure that no student is denied the opportunity to succeed due to financial constraints.
The students at the fundraising event represent not just individual cases of hardship but the broader future of our nation. It is a grave injustice that their aspirations are being threatened by a broken system. This situation demands immediate government intervention to rectify the disparities and ensure that education remains a universal right rather than a privilege for the few.
It is imperative that the government reassesses the current funding model and embraces a more equitable approach to education. Only by doing so can we truly support every Kenyan student and build a nation where everyone has the opportunity to realize their full potential. The time for change is now.
