Universities to submit cost of programmes for first year

Public and private universities will be expected to present the cost of programmes for the first year only.

The central placement body agreed to a request made by some university registrars saying the deadline is too close.

KUCCPS CEO Agnes Wahome said the institutions of higher learning should ensure they meet today's deadline.

“We can keep tomorrow for the first year cost of programmes then second year, and all that is for future discussions,” Wahome said.

She was speaking during a meeting with university academic registrars from both public and private institutions.

In a statement to universities, Wahome explained that this year’s placement and funding will not be based on admissions.

"In light of the foregoing, this is to request you to disclose and provide information on the cost of academic programmes in your institutions," she said.

However, she noted that while submitting the costs, the institutions should only factor tuition fees.

“Do not disclose accommodation, meals and those other costs. That will remain in the confines of the university,” she added.

The information is to be submitted in a duly filled Excel template and a scanned PDF of the duly filled template attached with a forwarding letter addressed to the CEO.

Meru university registrar Stephen Karanja requested KUCCPS to allow for more time before universities submit the cost of programmes.

“Allow us to give fees for first year then we will have consultations for the subsequent years. Considering it’s a new model, what we have been charging as fee is not the total cost,” Karanja said.

This he explained is because of the funds released by the Universities Fund Board to universities for students.

Karanja said the institutions would require to consolidate the data on costs which changes across the years.

This is because of costs including attachment fee which is paid at third and fourth years.

For instance, a private university in Nairobi has 17 levies for the first year for government sponsored students.

These include activity fee, student benevolent, caution money, examination, facility charges, identity card, and internet access and student association contributions.

Others are parents association, student organisation, library, medical examination fee, medical, placement fee, quality assurance charges, registration and technology.  

Wahome said KUCCPS will publish all programmes and warned that the government was only going to fund students who selected programmes in public universities.

"Therefore, students who will select programmes in private universities and TVET programmes offered by universities will not get government scholarships and will only be eligible to apply for HELB loan," she said. 

Another public university has 10 levies for a third year student who is government sponsored.

These are tuition fees, registration fees, examination fees, ICT fees, extra curricular activity fees, amenities, activity fees, student union, accommodation and attachment fees.

This directive comes in the light of newly unveiled funding policy for institutions of higher learning beginning September.