Ministry of Education Orders Unconditional University Admissions
On Wednesday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos instructed all university vice-chancellors to admit students without any conditions.
According to a letter from the Ministry, Migos clarified that all students who meet the admission criteria should be enrolled regardless of their immediate ability to pay the required household contribution.
This directive was issued following widespread complaints from students and parents who were being turned away from universities for failing to pay fees under the new model.
Clarification on Admission and Fees
The Ministry emphasized that all students who qualify for university admission are assured a spot in their selected institutions, even if they cannot pay the household contribution immediately.
Vice-chancellors of public universities were specifically directed to admit all eligible students without exception.
Additionally, they were instructed to ensure suitable accommodation arrangements for first-year students, with the understanding that fees would be settled once the upkeep component funds are disbursed.
The Ministry is collaborating with the National Treasury to expedite the release of these necessary funds.
Extension of Application Period
Migos also announced an extension of the application period, now set to close on December 31, 2024. Students dissatisfied with their assigned financial contribution bands are encouraged to reach out to relevant teams or make adjustments through the designated portal.
This directive was issued after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula urged Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala to publicly assure that no student would be expelled from university for not paying fees.
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Inyangala, who appeared before the National Assembly, had previously called for a directive preventing vice-chancellors from denying admission to students and their parents over unpaid fees.
In her address to Parliament, Inyangala explained that many students were categorized into Bands 4 and 5, which are more expensive, despite having lower household incomes.
This was attributed to the parameters used in classifying students, including the type of high school they attended. She noted that many students in these bands had attended national schools where annual fees exceeded Ksh53,000.
Skewed Admission Statistics
Inyangala further revealed that a significant proportion of students who scored C+ and above in their national exams attended national schools, contributing to skewed admission statistics.
She mentioned that without reliable income data, it is challenging to accurately predict financial needs.
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According to data from the National Examination Council, 84.8% of students who scored C+ and above came from national schools, where the fees were higher. Additionally, some students had attended private schools, which further complicated the classification process.
Ministry of Education Orders Unconditional University Admissions
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