The Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos Ogamba has formed a team to review the controversial university’s new funding model amid planned protests.

In a statement on Sunday, September 8, 2024, the CS revealed that the ministry has formed a team of 25 members after engaging all stakeholders and students for the continuous enhancement of the funding model.

Additionally, Ogamba disclosed that the team will be tasked with reviewing the status of the implementation of the funding model and making recommendations for improvement.

“The Ministry has held some open forums with students and other stakeholders, based on which several improvements have been made to the model. One of the salient outcomes of the various forums has been the call to integrate students even more in the decision-making process,” Ogamba revealed.

“The primary task of the working committees will be to review the status of implementation of the New Funding Model and make recommendations for improvement.”

He added that the 25-member committee will also analyze the cost of the university programs, review the structure of student loans and implementation of the new funding model for higher education.

“Appraisal of the implementation of the New Funding Model for Higher Education; Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Means Testing Instrument in ensuring that the categorization of students captures their socio-economic realities; Assessment of the efficacy of the appeals mechanism in achieving correct student categorization for funding, Analysis of the cost of programmes in the universities and Review of the structure of student loans, the attendant interest rates and the period of payment,” Ogamba added.

CS on the planned strike

Ogamba further urged students to call off their planned demonstrations and engage in constructive dialogue.

“To allow room for this open consultative process, the university student leadership is requested to call off the demonstrations scheduled for 9th September 2024. Thus, for greater efficiency and to achieve meaningful student participation and involvement, the Ministry is constituting two time-bound Working Committees that will draw membership from the student leadership, experts, and other relevant stakeholders,” he added.

“This will afford the student community the chance to contribute effectively to issues about their higher education, while also progressing with their studies without disruption.”

Students oppose funding model

Student leaders from various institutions in the country announced national demonstrations to protest against the implementation of the new university funding model.

In various statements, student leaders drawn from the University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenyatta University, Kibabiii University, Machakos University, and Great Lakes University among others called on their fellow students from other institutions to join them in the demonstrations slated for Monday, September 9, 2024.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education James Migos Ogamba has formed a team to review the New Funding Model. We urge students to call off their planned demonstrations and engage in constructive dialogue for a better solution. pic.twitter.com/0OwvGz2cU4

— Spokesperson GoK (@SpokespersonGoK) September 8, 2024