Tough Times Ahead As GoK Is Set To Triple University Fees

The Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms has recommended a three-fold increase in university school fees for government-sponsored students from the current 16,000 shillings to 52,000 shillings per semester.

In its report submitted to President William Ruto last week, the task force made a raft of recommendations that if implemented, will see students pay more to access university education.

Further, the task force also asked the government to increase its funding of education at the university level. It also called for the writing-off of debts owed by public universities.

The proposals handed to President William Ruto on February 16, further noted that there was a funding shortfall in universities urging the government to increase its funding.

The task force recommended that while the president continues to be the appointing authority for chancellors, the views of the universities Senate and the Ministry of Education should be sought before such appointments are made. It also asked the government to fill the position of 28 chancellor positions in various universities

The task force also wants every county to have a National Polytechnic and a Technical Vocational College in every constituency and a Vocational Training Centre in each ward

According to the team, from the 2018/2019 academic year to the 2022/2023 academic year, the government failed to fund public universities with a total amount of 164 billion shillings while private universities recorded a shortfall of 56.96 billion shillings in funding.

Moreover, the task force further appealed to the government to write off the huge debts owed by the universities to statutory bodies.

“The debts owed to statutory bodies is currently Ksh56.13 billion including deductions for pension, National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), National Social Security Fund (NSS) amongst others,” the report issued by the task force read in part.

“To ensure an improvement in governance in universities, while still the appointing authority for the chancellors, the President should put into consideration the input of the relevant authorities,” stated the task force.

Moreover, the team, led by Prof Raphael Munavu, reiterated the importance of increasing the enrolment of students in Teachers’ Training Colleges noting that the intake stood at 3,922 students in 34 institutions that could accommodate up to 26,650 students.

It also stated the government ought to expand the space for Technical and Vocational Training by establishing such institutions across the country.

The government should establish a National Polytechnic in every county, Technical Vocational College in every constituency and a Vocational Training Centre in each ward,” the task force added.

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