‘No Student Will Be Sent Back’ – Education CS Assures University Admissions
The government has assured all qualified students of admission to their preferred universities, regardless of their ability to pay the required household contribution immediately.
On Wednesday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba directed public university vice-chancellors to admit all qualified students, without exception.
“The Vice-Chancellors are required to facilitate suitable accommodation arrangements for first-year students, with the guarantee that the necessary fees will be paid upon disbursement of the upkeep component,” said Ogamba.
He added that his ministry is collaborating with the National Treasury to expedite the release of the necessary funds.
PRESS RELEASE: ALL STUDENTS ASSURED UNIVERSITY ADMISSION. Education CS Julius Migos Ogamba says no student should be turned back for Non-payment of household contribution. pic.twitter.com/FHZ5vslXK0
— Ministry of Education, Kenya (MoE) (@EduMinKenya) August 21, 2024
“As a ministry, we welcome recommendations from Parliament and other stakeholders on strengthening the New Funding Model and improving the Means Testing Instrument,” the minister said.
Under the new university funding model, the education ministry employs a ‘banding’ method that uses a means testing instrument to monitor the socioeconomic indicators of the student’s environment.
They include household income, geographic location, poverty levels, and the number of dependents in the student’s family, among other special circumstances like disabilities.
The instrument also seeks to ensure equitable distribution of available resources while directing students to the financial aid directory.
Students seeking financial aid were divided into five bands based on household income and financial needs.
Those in Band 1 are the most needy and vulnerable; they will receive the majority of government aid in the form of scholarships (70%) and loans (25%), with the household contributing only 5% of the fees.
The student will receive a maintenance allowance of Ksh.60,000. Students in Band 2 come from low-income families and require substantial financial aid.
This group will receive a 60% scholarship and 30% in loans, while they will be required to pay 10% of the fees and receive Ksh. 55,000 in maintenance.
Needy students in Band 3 from low-income families will receive 50% scholarships, 30% loans, and Ksh.50,000 for maintenance, while they will pay 10% of the fees.
Those in Bands 4 and 5, which are considered middle and high-income earners, will pay the highest tuition fees per household at 40% and 20%, respectively, while students will receive 30% in loans and between Ksh.40,000 and Ksh.45,000 in student upkeep.
While funding is largely determined by household income, students with special needs, such as orphans or those with disabilities, are taken into consideration.
The government promises ‘affirmative action’ to ensure that students from marginalised and vulnerable groups are included in the classification.
‘No Student Will Be Sent Back’ – Education CS Assures University Admissions
