- He spoke at Lake Naivasha Resort during a two-day media sensitisation workshop on students' placement process.
- Monari expressed confidence that the model will be a success.
Image: COURTESY
Universities Fund CEO Geoffrey Monari has defended the new Funding Model which was unveiled two weeks ago.
Monari said the new model promotes equity and enhances inclusivity.
“Funding of students whether on scholarships, loans, or bursaries will be based on the level of need. Every student will be eligible for financial assistance. All students who scored C+ and above will be eligible for funding," he said.
He spoke at Lake Naivasha Resort during a two-day media sensitisation workshop on students' placement process and the new higher education funding model.
He added that under the new model, there will be increased cash flow to universities by Sh20.3 billion.
“Under the new model, universities will be motivated to raise additional resources and to enhance the quality of education so as to attract more students,” he added.
The Kenya Universities Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) chief executive officer Mercy Wahome and Higher Education Loans Board’s(HELB) head of lending Ndegwa King’ori attended the workshop.
Monari expressed confidence that the model will be a success.
“We have a commitment from President William Ruto himself and his education minister Ezekiel Machogu. They have offered unwavering support and this is the best funding model for higher education. Rethinking the funding model was long overdue,” Monari said.
He further added that the students will be funded based on the actual programme cost.
The CEO also noted that university funding policy and framework are to be reviewed to determine fees for different categories of students like government-sponsored, privately sponsored, and foreign students.
A review of the cost of programs will be done periodically to take care of inflation. The funding distribution will be based on one’s vulnerability.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu officially launched the KUCCPS portal to allow candidates to apply for courses.
Machogu said all the 173,127 candidates who attained the minimum university entry grade of C+ qualify to be placed in degree programmes.
Those who scored a C plain grade and below will be absorbed into Technical and Vocational Education Training Institutions (TVET) institutions.
Upon being selected, students in public institutions will be given the option to apply for government scholarships through a “fool-proof tool” that will asses them before being awarded scholarships.
The funding model will see students categorised according to 3 levels of need; vulnerable, less vulnerable and able.
Students from less needy households will receive scholarships of up to 53 per cent and loans of up to 40 per cent.
At the same time able students will be funded up to a maximum of 38 per cent of the cost of the program and 55 per cent in the form of loans.
Those joining TVETs will be funded to the tune of 32 per cent for government scholarships and 48 per cent for government loans