The Ministry of Education has called on university students to cancel their planned Monday demonstrations against the new funding model for higher education. On Sunday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba announced that the ministry is forming two committees to engage with the students and other stakeholders to address concerns surrounding the controversial model.
“In order to allow room for this open consultative process, the university student leadership is requested to call off the demonstrations scheduled for 9th September, 2024. 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,” CS Ogamba said.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has called on university students to cancel their planned Monday protests against the new higher education funding model. He emphasized that the ministry has been actively engaging with students and other stakeholders to find a suitable solution.
Ogamba announced the formation of two committees that will review the implementation of the new funding model and provide recommendations for improvement. The committees will focus on assessing the effectiveness of the model, particularly in ensuring that the means-testing instrument accurately categorizes students based on their socio-economic status.
They will also evaluate the appeals mechanism, analyze the cost of university programs, and review the structure of student loans, including interest rates and repayment periods.
The committees will include student leaders, experts, and other relevant stakeholders and will operate within a set timeframe, according to Ogamba.
The announcement comes as university students plan protests against the funding model, which they argue is unfair and may prevent many from accessing higher education. The new model separates student placement from funding, requiring students to apply for loans and scholarships through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Universities Fund (UF).
Under the model, funding is determined by a means-testing instrument that categorizes students into five bands. President William Ruto has supported the model, stating that the most needy students will receive up to 70% scholarship, 25% loan, and 5% household contribution, along with Ksh.60,000 for upkeep.
Only students placed in public universities by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) are eligible for scholarships and loans, while those in private institutions can only access HELB loans.
