Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has been pressed to explain the fate of students who have not paid household contributions in the latest university funding model.

The CS, who appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Education on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, chaired by Julius Melly, was pressured to explain why some students had raised concerns that some universities plan to bar them from sitting their exams for failing to pay their household contribution.

“Students are being told they will not sit exams without paying the household allowance. We need clarity on this,” Melly, Tinderet MP, asked the CS.

In response, the CS assured the Committee that students who have not yet paid will still be allowed to take their exams, emphasizing that the government does not want any student to miss out due to financial difficulties.

“As of now, 75,000 (60 per cent) of students have paid their household contribution fees, but we will ensure that those who haven’t paid are allowed to sit their exams,” said CS Ogamba.

Mean Testing Instrument

During the session, the MPs sitting in the committee also raised questions over the Means Testing Instrument (MTI), which is used to categorise students into five household income groups to determine funding levels.

Lugari MP Nabii Nabwire expressed concern, asking, “Is the system flexible enough to handle changes in students’ economic circumstances? he posed.

“We need assurance that students who fall into hardship after admission will not be left behind,” Nabwera added.

In his response, CS Ogamba admitted that the Means Testing Instrument has encountered some challenges but assured the MPs that the ministry is expediting the process of fixing it.

“We are very concerned about the MTI, and we are making every effort to eliminate errors and ensure fairness,” CS Ogamba told the MPs.

According to the Ministry, 138,535 students were placed in public universities for the 2023/2024 academic year, and 121,728 students have applied for government funding; 16,807 have not.

Funding appeals

CS Ogamba was also pressured to explain what would happen to students who had been placed in different bands and their families’ financial situation changes in the course of their studies.

He confirmed that the appeals window remains open until December 2024 and that decisions will be made on a rolling basis.

“Students whose situations have changed will not be disadvantaged. The process is designed to accommodate such changes,” he said.