A national committee has been inaugurated to review and refine Kenya’s new university funding model, which aims to enhance access to higher education by providing a mix of scholarships and loans. The model, introduced in 2023, has already facilitated the entry of 113,140 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) students into both public and private universities.
The funding system which seeks to address financial barriers for university and Technical and TVET students, has faced a couple of hurdles and poor reception from the general public.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba highlighted the model’s significant financial impact on the education sector, noting that “the model almost doubled the resources to our universities, which have been increasing by five percent each year.” He stressed that the initiative is aimed at addressing access challenges, particularly for vulnerable students, and expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to deliver effective reforms.
Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, emphasized the importance of providing access to education for all students, stating, “We are here to liberate our children as well as provide them with the knowledge that enables them to serve the community.”
Beatrice Inyangala, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Higher Education and Research, expressed optimism about the committee’s efforts, noting that their work will ensure the sustainability of university and TVET education. “I am convinced that the collective wisdom among the inaugurated committee and other stakeholders will give us a solution that makes our education system sustainable for the prosperity of our students,” Inyangala remarked.
The committee’s primary task will be to refine and innovate the existing funding model, addressing areas such as the effective targeting of financial aid and the sustainability of resource allocation to universities and TVET institutions. As the review process continues, the aim is to enhance access and maintain the quality of education across Kenya.
