MoE Modifies the Funding Formula for Universities
A government evaluation of the new funding mechanism, which comes months after its initial announcement, has resulted in the requirement that all parents with kids in universities and colleges pay fees.
All households will now contribute to the tuition, which runs counter to the original aim of alleviating parents who are unable to afford higher education for their children.
Scholarships, tuition, family donations, and students’ own upkeep costs have all been factored into the revised funding system. In addition, the previous system of four student categories—”vulnerable,” “extremely needy,” “needy,” and “less needy”—has been enlarged to five and dubbed as “bands.”
According to the new system, students who fall into one of the five income brackets listed above would receive a grant of between Sh40,000 and Sh60,000. While this was not the original goal, it is now clear that all families would contribute financially to their children’s education.
The President William Ruto-introduced funding formula has been called into question, prompting this review. As part of the original proposal, the government was going to pay for all of the “vulnerable and extremely needy” people’s household bills.
With scholarships and loans covering variable percentages of the cost, only the “needy and less needy” were expected to make a 7% contribution toward higher education.
Changes to the University Funding Formula Lead to New Fees
The information provided by the details raised concerns that the first funding plan would be too expensive. Some in the government are worried that the necessary financing won’t be available in the future.
Despite the obstacles, some 116,532 college students and 126,825 TVET students have applied for financial aid.
About 220,000 students have been verified and categorized by financing institutions, and talks are currently underway to distribute monies for loans and scholarships.
However, public higher education is experiencing a funding problem as a result of the State’s tardy contributions.
Budgets for the first year have been supported by money set aside for returning students because the money for new students has not yet been distributed.
Concerns have been raised regarding the government’s ability to oversee the funding process, but it is hoped that institutions will soon have access to the funds. Overall, questions about the new finance plan’s viability and effectiveness persist.
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