President Ruto Defends Higher Education Funding Model Amid Controversy.
President William Ruto has stood firm in support of the higher education funding model, despite resistance from various stakeholders and a court order suspending its implementation.
Speaking during his state of the nation address on Thursday, he emphasized that the model was introduced to resolve financial instability in higher education institutions.
He explained that it prioritizes vulnerable students by offering them up to 95% government support, while simultaneously addressing financial crises threatening universities.
Rolled out in 2023, the funding model has drawn criticism for its perceived shortcomings, including high tuition costs and vague implementation procedures, which some argue could exclude needy students.
In September 2024, the High Court halted its implementation, citing unresolved issues related to accessibility and equity.
President Ruto acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by certain universities, such as Moi University, attributing them to governance and administrative inefficiencies.
He assured that these issues are being resolved. Moi University, along with institutions like Egerton University, continues to grapple with insolvency compounded by structural inefficiencies.
Meanwhile, a presidential committee tasked with reviewing the model has yet to produce actionable recommendations, even after its deadline elapsed.
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Sources from the committee indicated that the process has been hampered by poor communication, disorganisation, insufficient funding, and a lack of transparency.
In August, the government disclosed that over 12,000 first-year university students had appealed their funding band categorisation.
The Ministry of Education announced that processing of these appeals had commenced and would be completed within three weeks of submission.
Late appeals can be submitted until December 31, 2024. Re-evaluation will rely on socio-economic data, affirmative action considerations, and other factors related to applicants’ backgrounds and expenses.
Progress and Concerns in the Education Sector
In Parliament, President Ruto highlighted his administration’s achievements, including the hiring of 56,000 teachers, with plans to recruit 20,000 more by January 2025.
He noted that the seamless transition of learners from primary to junior secondary school had been ensured by accommodating Grades 7, 8, and 9 in primary schools.
This approach leverages existing infrastructure, ensures student safety, and mitigates the financial burden of boarding schools on parents.
However, concerns persist regarding unfulfilled promises. President Ruto’s manifesto had pledged to hire 116,000 teachers within two years of taking office to address staffing shortages.
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With 23,000 junior schools, the current recruitment drive translates to just one additional teacher per school, leaving many institutions still understaffed.
As Grade 9 rolls out in January 2025, stakeholders and parents are expressing anxiety over insufficient infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of learners.
Concerns also extend to preparations for senior school transitions in 2026, where students will need to choose academic pathways aligned with their interests and abilities.
President Ruto Defends Higher Education Funding Model Amid Controversy.
