Calls for a Return to HELB as Funding Crisis Hits Universities.
Anxiety has engulfed university students as uncertainty looms regarding the processing of their fees and upkeep for the semester. This follows a court decision scrapping the recently introduced student-centered funding model.
Despite the ruling, the Ministry of Education has assured that first- and second-year students will receive their funds on time since these allocations were already budgeted.
The semester’s start has been particularly tough for students like Felix Somay, a first-year at Kisii University. Struggling without funds to cover basic needs like food and other campus necessities, Felix represents many others enrolled under the now-defunct funding model.
His uncertainty about the semester ahead highlights the precarious position of students in their first and second years.
The student-centered model was introduced to address universities’ financial difficulties. It aimed to support students through a combination of loans, scholarships, and household contributions, including government-provided upkeep funds.
However, some students report that these funds have been insufficient, often diverted to cover household contributions, defeating the model’s intended purpose.
Critics of the new funding model successfully challenged it in court, demanding a return to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) system.
Under the HELB Act, every qualifying student was guaranteed a basic loan and tuition remission funded by the government.
Previously, the maximum annual loan per student was around KES 70,000. This system was seen as more predictable and equitable compared to the student-centered model.
One observer noted that the HELB system “ensured all students had a guaranteed minimum to cover their needs. While not perfect, it was a lifeline for many.”
Ministry of Education’s Response
The Ministry of Education has appealed the court’s decision to scrap the new funding model. Meanwhile, it reassured continuing students that their learning would not be disrupted, as resources for first- and second-year students had already been allocated.
A Ministry spokesperson emphasized that they are working tirelessly to comply with the court’s directives while ensuring students remain in school.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education has also directed school heads to allow students and pupils to continue their studies uninterrupted as the government finalizes the disbursement of capitation funds.
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“We are committed to ensuring no student’s education is halted due to this transition,” the Ministry stated.
The funding uncertainty has left many students in limbo, prompting calls for the government to expedite a clear and sustainable solution. Affected students emphasize that timely support is crucial for their education and well-being.
The crisis underscores the need for robust and reliable funding mechanisms in higher education, as students like Felix wait for the assurance of a stable academic future.
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Calls for a Return to HELB as Funding Crisis Hits Universities.
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