- However, the total enrolment of students in public universities was expected to decrease from 452,100 to 448,500.
- The reduction is partly attributed to delayed registration, transfers to private universities and pandemic interruptions.
Image: UoN:
An economic survey has revealed that the number of university students funded by government has been decreasing since 2019.
For instance, 153,034 male students were funded in 2019, 152,981(2020) and another 145,339(2021).
“At least 101,735 female students were funded in 2019, 100,090( 2020) and 97,825(2021).” the report reads.
However, the total enrolment of students in public universities was expected to decrease from 452,100 to 448,500.
"The reduction is partly attributed to delayed registration, transfers to private universities and pandemic interruptions," the report reads.
From 2019 to 2021, enrolment in public universities constituent colleges was expected to rise by 40.7 per cent.
"Enrolment to private universities is expected to increase by 20 percent to 11,600," the report reads.
According to the report, universities' funding was reduced by Sh298 million in the financial year 2020-21.
In 2019-20 universities received Sh42 billion but Sh41 billion was disbursed in 2020-21.
This is in terms of funding of students spearheaded by the Universities Funding Board.
According to the economic survey, there was an increased enrolment in universities.
“Funding to public universities is expected to grow by 4.6 percent to Sh43.8 billion in 2021-22," report reads.
“Some 323,942 students were funded by government, out of this, 118,759 were female, 177,349 were male in 2019-20."
The number of students funded in the year 2020-21 reduced to 286,580 and increased to 338,533 in 2021-22.
The University of Nairobi had the highest number of students funded by government, followed by Kenyatta University.
“UoN had 32,421, KU (32,162), JKUAT(25,340), Moi University (23809) and Egerton(18, 050)."
Garissa University received the lowest funding and enrolment from 2019 to date.
Only 707 students were funded in both 2019 and 2020 while 694 were funded in 2021.
In the category of constituent colleges, funding was expected to rise by 5 per cent to Sh2.1 billion from Sh2 billion in 2020-21.
Students enrolled for diploma and certificate courses in private and public universities increased from 55,351 in 2020 to 58,414 in 2021.
"The overall number of students enrolled in diploma and certificate courses is expected to grow by 5.5 per cent," the report reads.
"However, enrolment of diploma and certificate students in public universities was expected to decline by 14.3 per cent."
During the release of 2021 KCSE results, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha said 1,138 (0.14 per cent) candidates obtained an overall grade A compared to 893 (0.12 per cent) candidates in 2020.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)