MP Rosa Buyu criticizes gov’t University funding model

Kisumu West Member of Parliament (MP) Rosa Buyu has called out President William Ruto’s administration for enabling confusion within the education sector.

While addressing a crowd at Ojolla Primary School on Monday, August 28, 2023, where she was issuing bursaries worth Ksh17.2 million Buyu accused the government of causing confusion on the University funding model.

She also expressed concern that parents and students are not knowledgeable about the application process.

This, according to the MP, is likely to jeopardize opportunities for students who are likely to benefit from the program.

“Parents do not know who is going to qualify or what makes them qualify for funding. Government needs to step up,” she said.

“When you get to University there is too much confusion with KUCCPS. We are going to end up losing good grades and opportunities,” she added.

About University funding model

The government recently introduced the new financing model and subsequently announced open loan applications for 2022 KCSE students who seek to join various higher learning institutions.

“Students who require funding must make formal applications through www.hef.co.ke before the deadline set on midnight of September 7, 2023” the government announced.

Adding:

“Students from vulnerable and extremely needy households will receive 100% funding while the needy and less needy will get 93% government funding and a paltry 7% contribution from their households to cover the tuition fees.

“Allocation of funding across the four categories will be determined by evaluating family economic background.”

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charles Ringera also announced that Ksh210 billion would be needed for the financing model by 2028.

According t Ringera, the loan section will require at least Ksh145 billion while Ksh75 billion will be needed to finance scholarships.

“Small simulation numbers that we have done show that by 2028 through this model, university financing will require Ksh145 billion from loans only. Scholarships will be looking at another around Ksh75 billion so we are talking about Ksh210 billion as the amount that will be required,” Ringera said in a media session on university funding.