Government To Adjust University Fee Structure And Funding Model

Through the Ministry of Education, government has announced plans to adjust the university fee structure as part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at ensuring uninterrupted learning in institutions of higher education.

This initiative is expected to strike a balance between affordability for students and financial sustainability for universities, ensuring that higher education remains accessible while institutions maintain their operational stability.

On Thursday, the Chief Executive Officer of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), Geoffrey Monari appeared before the Senate, detailed the government’s proposal to revise university fees.

He emphasized that the proposed changes are designed to create a fair system that caters to students from diverse economic backgrounds without compromising the quality of education offered by universities.

Monari noted that, in addition to adjusting fees, the government was exploring ways to expand HELB’s financing and enhance bursary allocations to provide greater financial support to students.

During the session, officials from the Ministry of Education, led by Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala, defended the new funding model introduced by President William Ruto’s administration in 2023.

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The model, which categorizes students into different financial bands based on their economic backgrounds, has been a subject of both praise and criticism. While acknowledging its shortcomings, Inyangala revealed that the government was actively working on refining the system.

She indicated that plans were underway to introduce a hybrid funding model that would incorporate government scholarships, student loans, and private-sector partnerships to create a more sustainable and inclusive higher education funding structure.

Education officials stressed that the new model was designed to reduce financial barriers that often prevent students from accessing university education.

Principal Secretary Muganda, who was also present, highlighted that since the model’s introduction, there has been a noticeable increase in student applications, suggesting that more students now see higher education as a viable option.

“The new funding model has indeed reduced the barriers to accessibility to programs, and we continue to see an increase in student applications,” Muganda stated.

However, despite the government’s defense of the model, it is currently facing legal uncertainties. A recent High Court injunction halted its full implementation, raising concerns among stakeholders about its future.

The court ruling has left many students in a state of uncertainty, with fears that those who had already enrolled under the new model might be left stranded without financial support.

Senators, led by Vice Chairperson Senator Margaret Kamar, raised pressing concerns about the fate of university funding following the court’s decision.

They questioned whether students who had already been placed under the model would continue receiving financial support and what contingency measures the government had in place to address potential funding gaps.

“How will the new funding model benefit parents and students alike while also ensuring a better understanding of the band categorization?” Senator Kamar inquired.

In her response, PS Muganda reassured the committee that while the court order had paused full implementation, certain aspects of the funding model had already taken effect.

She noted that the government was actively engaging stakeholders, including the judiciary, universities, and financial institutions, to resolve the legal challenges surrounding the model.

She emphasized that discussions were ongoing to ensure that a sustainable solution was reached, one that would provide clarity and reassurance to both students and institutions.

Muganda further stressed that despite the legal obstacles, the government remained committed to reforming university funding to create a system that is both accessible and financially sustainable.

She assured lawmakers that alternative measures were being explored to bridge any financial gaps, ensuring that students could continue their studies without disruption.

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