University Student Leaders issue Demands to Government over Funding Model
University student leaders have called upon the Ministry of Education to involve them in discussions regarding the implementation of a new funding model. During a recent TV interview, Monicah Malith, the President of the University of Nairobi Student Association (UNSA), emphasized the need for the Ministry to engage with university student leaders to address concerns about the government’s proposed funding model.
Malith’s statement reflects the growing concerns surrounding the criteria used by the government to determine eligibility for funding. She stressed the importance of the Ministry of Education organizing meetings with student leaders to deliberate on the intricacies of the new funding model.
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Under this new system, priority will be given to vulnerable students, particularly those from extremely needy and low-income households. If a student falls into the vulnerable category, the government will cover 82 percent of their fees through scholarships, with the remaining 18 percent managed through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
Muchoki Kirera, the President of the Technical University of Kenya, expressed uncertainty regarding various aspects of the new funding model. Kirera mentioned a lack of clarity about the timeline for its implementation, the mechanism of allocation, and the number of students who will benefit from this loan scheme.
While university student leadership has voiced support for the government’s initiatives, they seek greater transparency and information about various aspects of the new funding model.
It’s worth noting that the government has recently waived the national ID requirement as a prerequisite for qualifying for state financing in line with the new higher education financing model.
University Student Leaders issue Demands to Government over Funding Model
