President William Ruto has organised a night town hall meeting to defend the new university funding model, which has so far attracted mixed reactions from different stakeholders.
In a notice shared by the Office of Government Spokesperson, President Ruto is expected to address the nation and answer pertinent questions regarding the newly launched university funding model.
The town hall address will be held at the Kenyatta Convention Centre (KICC) on Sunday, August 25, 2024, starting from 7:00 pm.
According to the Office of Government Spokesperson, the Head of State will primarily respond to questions surrounding the new university funding model and other education-related matters.
“In today’s Presidential Town Hall Special Edition, President William Ruto will delve into the New Funding Model for Higher Education. All your concerns will be answered comprehensively,” the notice read in part.
In today's Presidential TownHall Special Edition, H.E @WilliamsRuto will delve into the New Funding Model for Higher Education. All your concerns will be answered comprehensively. Stay tuned. We'll be live on all TV stations and Social media platforms. pic.twitter.com/dpCmgS4HC6
— Spokesperson GoK (@SpokespersonGoK) August 25, 2024
New funding model
The new model allocates funds to students based on their financial needs. It’s different from the previous model (Differentiated Unit Cost) which focused on the course that a student selected.
The model has five bands that are categorised based on a family’s monthly income.
In the new model, the Ministry of Education uses the Means Testing Instrument (MTI) to determine the appropriate financial assistance each learner deserves and then places them in the respective bands based on their level of need.
Band 1
Band 1 is for families whose monthly income is Ksh5,995. According to the Ministry of Education, learners placed in this band are eligible for 70 per cent of government scholarships and 25 per cent loan, making total government support 95 per cent. Parents will contribute 5 per cent while the student will receive a Ksh60,000 upkeep loan.
Band 2
In this category, the family income is Ksh23,670 per month. Scholarships will cover 60 per cent; loan 30 per cent putting total government support at 90 per cent. The family will contribute 10 per cent, while the student will receive an upkeep loan of Ksh55,000.
Band 3
Here, the family income is up to Ksh70,000. Learners in this category are expected to benefit from a 50 per cent scholarship, 30 per cent loan bringing the total support to 80 per cent. The family will contribute 20 per cent while the student receives a Ksh50,000 upkeep loan.
Band 4
Learners in this band are considered to come from families with a monthly income of up to Ksh120,000.
They are entitled to a 40 per cent scholarship and a 30 per cent loan putting the total government support at 70 per cent. The family will cater for 30 per cent cost while the student will receive Ksh45,000 upkeep loan.
Band 5
Band 5 is for families with a monthly income above Ksh120,000. For them, scholarships will cover 30 per cent, loan 30 per cent making total support 60 per cent. The family will contribute 40 per cent while the student will receive an upkeep loan of Ksh40,000.
Concerns
Several people have questioned the banding system, arguing that it has made education expensive. Chief Justice Martha Koome and Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua are among the leaders who have poked holes in the model.
University student leaders and some parents have also opposed the model, with some maintaining that they have been placed in the wrong bands.
However, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba instructed all universities to admit students regardless of their financial capacity.
With many questions being raised, Ruto is expected to set the record straight in tonight’s town hall meeting.
President @WilliamsRuto to host a Townhall tonight, engaging university students on the Higher Education Funding Model pic.twitter.com/tIl66rwlfk
— Hussein Mohamed, MBS. (@HusseinMohamedg) August 25, 2024
