Private varsities want new funding model reviewed

Vice Chancellors from private universities are now calling for a review of the Higher Education Funding Model. 

The new education funding model is set to allow students to acquire scholarships individually. 

The VCs from 20 different varsities spoke on Friday at Kabarak University.

They termed the new funding model as discriminatory against students who have applied to private universities. 

The VCs said they felt the model is discriminatory as learners in private institutions will only get the funding to a certain extent while those in public institutions are assured of getting the funds fully. 

The Catholic University of East Africa VC Stephen Mbugua called on President William Ruto to reconsider the funding model.  

"To the President, reconsider this decision so that those who come to the private universities can access the scholarships because we have very poor students who choose to come to private universities," Mbugua said. 

Management University of Kenya VC Washington Okeyo said the previously used funding model was not discriminatory.  

"The current model is discriminatory because it kind of places the students who have been placed to private universities as lesser students of this country," Okeyo said. 

The new funding model was aimed at ensuring that students facing financial hardships will not be required to pay any fees to colleges and universities including their upkeep.

From the new model unveiled by Ruto on May 3 this year,  students from vulnerable and extremely needy households will receive 100% funding.

The needy and less needy will get 93 per cent government funding and a paltry 7 per cent contribution from their households to cover the tuition fees.

All university and TVET students who have received letters from universities and TVET colleges as per the placement from Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) are eligible for funding.

To effect this, the government has classified students seeking funding into four categories, the vulnerable, extremely needy, needy and less needy.

The students joining private institutions too are eligible for the HELB loan and are encouraged to apply.  

Initially, all funding to students was simply through HELB. But the new model will now give financial support to students in the form of bursaries, scholarships, and HELB.

However, the scholarships will only be granted to students in public varsities while those in private institutions will only be eligible for HELB.