David Ndii, who leads the Council of Economic Advisers, has responded to worries about the rising university fees, especially for students getting ready to enter higher education in September.Many students across the country have raised concerns about the proposed fees from various institutions, noting that they seem higher than in previous years.
Ndii has addressed these concerns, stating that there hasn’t been an actual increase in university fees. He explained that the fees being displayed by universities have always been there in their prospectus, and these are the amounts self-sponsored students pay.
He clarified that this is due to a new funding model that aims to assist all students with financial support from the government as they transition to higher learning institutions. Ndii emphasized that this new approach is similar to the way universities in foreign countries operate, where financial assistance information is available on their websites before any fees or enrollment take place.
“The university’s website usually provides information about financial aid. No fees are paid until enrollment. The key difference here is that the government will provide financial support to the majority through a combination of scholarships and loans based on the student’s ability,” he explained.Under this new funding system, students seeking government funding will need to apply for it after being accepted into their chosen institutions, as opposed to the previous method where those who met the minimum entry requirements were automatically funded.
Ndii also criticized the old funding model, pointing out that it had turned education into a profit-driven system that disadvantaged learners.
He highlighted issues like the decline of critical courses like agriculture and universities offering only a limited number of spots in high-demand programs like medicine for self-sponsored students who paid full fees.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu launched the new funding model on July 31st, with the goal of giving universities more independence and preventing them from merely operating as extensions of the government.
This model categorizes students into three groups: the vulnerable, the less vulnerable, and the able. Additionally, the new model changes the way universities and TVETs (Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions) are funded.
Instead of block funding based on different unit costs, funding will be allocated based on these categorized student groups, marking a departure from the previous funding distribution method.