Govt Introduces Key Reforms in University Funding Model.
Students enrolling in universities and colleges in May and September will be the first to benefit from the government’s latest adjustments to the contentious university funding model. The new system replaces the traditional block funding approach with a structure that allocates government scholarships and loans based on financial need and academic performance.
The government has been making refinements to the university funding model by introducing new variables to better categorize students according to their financial situations.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba stated that these adjustments aim to produce results that more accurately reflect each student’s capabilities. He emphasized that previous concerns had pointed out discrepancies in the variables used, which did not correctly capture students’ financial capacities.
“The issues raised indicated that some of the variables used did not accurately reflect the students’ financial capacity. Therefore, we have been refining that particular committee’s work, which includes assessing the cost of programs,” Migosi said.
During the Nyeri Polytechnic graduation ceremony on Friday, Cabinet Secretary Migosi explained that adjustments have been made to address these issues, including a thorough reassessment of program costs.
A committee established by President William Ruto in September of the previous year had already submitted its recommendations, addressing obstacles to full implementation. The adjustments will include refining the means testing instrument to ensure students are placed in funding categories aligned with their financial capabilities.
The classification system remains in place, categorizing students into four groups: vulnerable, extremely needy, needy, and less needy, determining the level of financial assistance they receive. However, misclassification has been a recurring issue, forcing some students to struggle with inadequate funding for their education.
Funding Based on Course Prioritization
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to higher education, the CS stated that financial support would be available through loans and scholarships. Students joining public universities in the September intake will benefit from both government scholarships and student loans, while those choosing private universities will only be eligible for student loans.
Apart from financial categorization, the revised model also introduces a tiered funding structure for degree programs, grouping them based on their importance and economic relevance.
Priority courses, such as medicine and engineering, receive higher government funding, whereas humanities and social sciences receive comparatively lower financial support. CS Ogamba confirmed that the government is in the process of reassessing course costs to ensure fairer distribution of funds.
Additionally, the National Committee on the Review of the Model has re-evaluated the cost of university programs to align them with similar courses in East African institutions. The ministry plans to publicize the modified model within the next 14 days, as directed by the Court of Appeal. The CS emphasized that the review would incorporate legal concerns raised in court while balancing political and practical considerations to ensure no student is excluded due to funding challenges.
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Addressing previous concerns, he stated that certain variables were not effectively aligning students with their true financial capacity. He further explained that the responsible committee has been working to refine the classification system and evaluate program costs more comprehensively. The expansion of these variables is expected to yield results that better reflect individual students’ financial standing.
The government secured a major legal victory this week when the Court of Appeal suspended an earlier High Court ruling that had declared the new funding model unconstitutional. This decision allows the government to proceed with the implementation of the scheme, which has already impacted students in their first and second years of study.
Graduation Ceremony and TVET Commitment
The CS made these remarks on Friday during the fifth graduation ceremony at Nyeri National Polytechnic, where 2,515 graduates received diplomas and certificates in various fields.
Highlighting the importance of technical education, Ogamba reiterated the ministry’s commitment to expanding access to quality TVET programs. These initiatives aim to equip learners with practical skills necessary for the job market.
He described TVET as a crucial driver of national development and encouraged graduates to leverage their skills for job creation and innovation.
He also emphasized the government’s efforts to enhance the Competency-Based Education and Training system, alongside strengthening the Dual Training Model, which integrates industry experience with classroom learning to boost employability.
Furthermore, the Recognition of Prior Learning initiative is certifying skills acquired outside formal education, offering more opportunities to experienced workers and ensuring TVET graduates have the necessary validation for their professions.
Govt Introduces Key Reforms in University Funding Model.
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