Machogu Defends the New University Funding Model
Ezekiel Mochogu, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, has passionately defended the country’s new university funding model during his visit to Kisii University on October 7. He claims that this model is designed to provide the most effective solution for Kenyan students, especially those facing challenges, particularly those hailing from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Dr. Machogu, the Education Cabinet Secretary, highlighted the importance of identifying and supporting students from underprivileged backgrounds through a scientifically validated means test method. According to Machogu, this approach seeks to categorize students based on their level of need, enabling those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to have significantly reduced fees.
He criticized the former funding system’s Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) method, deeming it “flawed and unworkable.”
Machogu acknowledged that the original D.U.C model, where the government was supposed to provide 80% of the funding, was problematic, necessitating comprehensive reform. The Ministry of Education introduced a new system and formula to better serve all Kenyan students, particularly those facing disadvantages, especially those from financially challenged backgrounds.
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The new funding approach divides students into “PARTS,” with each category reflecting their financial means and needs. For example, a student studying a course worth Ksh 200,000 would pay just Ksh 10,000 per semester under this system. The means testing instrument is used to assess the level of needs, ensuring that students from different financial backgrounds can access and afford quality education.
Machogu Defends the New University Funding Model
Additionally, Machogu mentioned that financial assistance would be provided in the form of scholarships and loans, with students agreeing to repay them once they secure employment. The government aims to direct higher education aid directly to individual students based on specific criteria under the new funding model, which begins with the admission of 2022 KCSE candidates to universities.
The government classifies those seeking assistance into four categories: vulnerable, highly needy, needy, and less needy. However, there has been criticism from various education stakeholders in Kenya, who argue that the government is shifting the financial burden to students and parents through expensive loans.
There have also been protests regarding the sudden increase and significant disparity in university tuition fees, with examples like a government-sponsored engineering course at JKUAT costing Ksh 336,000 per year.
