In a sudden turn of events ,universities across Kenya have been directed to recall admission letters issued for the 2024 academic year to correct fee figures, following a parliamentary directive aimed at alleviating financial anxiety among students and their families.
Higher Education Principal Secretary Dr. Beatrice Inyangala announced this significant move, stating, “I will direct universities to withdraw the letters.” The directive came after the national assembly education committee criticized the Ministry of Education for including the total cost of courses in the admission letters, which they argued discouraged students from enrolling.
The decision was sparked by complaints from students and parents about the inflated fee figures on admission letters, which included amounts expected to be covered by government funding. MPs contended that this misrepresentation led to unnecessary panic among students, especially those from low-income families.
Marakwet MP Timothy Toroitich was vocal about the issue, questioning the effectiveness of the new funding model. “Did we as a country rush into this new funding model? Many students of peasant farmers are claiming that the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) model is working better than the current new funding model,” he remarked during a recent parliamentary session.
Under the new funding model, financial aid is prioritized based on a student’s financial need, separating the placement from funding and taking into account the cost of the course. This shift, however, has led to confusion and frustration among students who found the listed fees unattainable, leading some to opt out of their preferred courses despite meeting the required cluster points.
The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has been at the forefront of implementing these changes. However, the placement service has faced criticism for not adequately communicating the specifics of government subsidies and loans in the initial admission letters.
Education Committee Chairperson Julius Melly emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, “What the committee is telling you is to swing into action immediately. You need to withdraw the letters immediately and have the letters with the household fees so that they can know what is expected of them.”
HELB CEO Charles Ringera highlighted the broader financial constraints impacting higher education. He pointed out that the government has yet to release Ksh. 29 billion of the Ksh. 102 billion budgeted for higher education, causing delays in scholarships and loan disbursements. “Delays in scholarships and loan disbursements also affect students who depend on them for purposes of their upkeep when in school. Many experience financial hardship, jeopardizing their chances of education,” Ringera noted.
The ministry has pledged to review the criteria used to place students in different financial aid bands, a move necessitated by the mixed performance of the new funding model over the past year. This recalibration aims to better support students’ financial needs and align more closely with the actual cost of their education.
As universities prepare to reissue admission letters with revised fee structures, this move is expected to provide much-needed clarity and relief to students and their families, fostering a more transparent and supportive educational environment.
