- "Loan repayment is one of the biggest issues that the new system should focus on”
- “We don’t understand when it’s going to come, how it is going to come and how many students have been able to get this loan”
University of Nairobi Student Association (UNSA) president Monicah Malith has called on the Ministry of Education to engage varsity student leaders to discuss the new funding model proposed by the government.
Her statement comes amid concerns being raised about the criteria the government is using to determine who qualifies for the funding and who doesn't.
“The Ministry of Education should call for meetings and engage university student leaders to discuss the new funding model," Malith, speaking on Citizen TV's Daybreak Friday show, said.
"Loan repayment is one of the biggest issues that the new system should focus on,” she added.
In the new system, the government will give priority to vulnerable students, those from extremely needy and needy households.
If categorised as vulnerable, the government will cater for everything through 82 percent fees on scholarships and the remaining 18 percent via the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
The Technical University of Kenya president, Muchoki Kirera said they remain in the dark with regard to the new funding model.
“We don’t understand when it’s going to come, how it is going to come and how many students have been able to get this loan,” Muchoki stated.
University student leadership has been vocal in stating they support the moves by the government but want clarity on certain issues about the new model.