Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba has issued a directive ensuring that no student will be denied admission to university due to an inability to pay household contributions. In a statement released on Wednesday, August 21, Ogamba emphasized that all students who have qualified for university admission are guaranteed a place, regardless of their immediate financial situation.
The CS instructed all vice-chancellors of public universities to admit qualified students without exception and ensure suitable accommodation arrangements for first-year students, with the understanding that fees will be settled once the necessary funds are disbursed.
“Vice-Chancellors of public universities have therefore been directed to admit all qualified students without exception,” Ogamba stated. “Additionally, the Vice-Chancellors are required to facilitate suitable accommodation arrangements for first-year students, with the guarantee that the necessary fees will be paid upon disbursement of the upkeep component.”
The Ministry of Education is also working with the National Treasury to expedite the release of funds, aiming to prevent financial constraints from barring deserving students from higher education.
This decision follows complaints from students who were placed in higher loan bands meant for families with greater incomes, yet still struggled with the household contributions. They expressed concerns that the new funding model might make university education increasingly unaffordable for many, potentially limiting access to those from wealthier backgrounds.
In response, Ogamba encouraged students who are dissatisfied with their loan band allocations to submit appeals, which will be processed within three weeks. The application deadline has been extended to December 31, 2024, to accommodate potential delays.
The CS also welcomed recommendations from Parliament and other stakeholders to enhance the new funding model and improve the Means Testing Instrument. He outlined plans to work with various entities, including NG-CDF, County Governments, and other public and private players, to develop a comprehensive legal and policy framework for sustainable financing of higher education.
Under the new funding model:
- Band 1 (households earning less than Ksh 5,995) receives a 70% scholarship and a 25% loan (95% total support), with families contributing 5% and receiving a Ksh 60,000 upkeep loan.
- Band 2 (households earning between Ksh 5,995 and Ksh 23,670) gets a 60% scholarship and a 30% loan (90% total support), with families contributing 10% and a Ksh 55,000 upkeep loan.
- Band 3 (households earning up to Ksh 70,000) is allocated a 50% scholarship and 30% loan (80% total support), with families contributing 20% and a Ksh 50,000 upkeep loan.
- Band 4 (households earning Ksh 70,000 to Ksh 120,000) receives a 40% scholarship and 30% loan (70% total support), leaving families to contribute 30%.
- Band 5 (households earning above Ksh 120,000) gets a 30% scholarship and 30% loan (60% total support), with families contributing 40%.