The Government is considering opening the university funding model to reforms to capture the views of students, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed.
Speaking in Kilifi County during a public lecture at Pwani University on ‘Scaling the Leadership Ladder: Leadership and Development,’ the Deputy President asked the Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research Beatrice Inyangala to engage students and other stakeholders to ensure the model fulfils its objective of access to education for all.
Gachagua issued the directive as he announced sponsorship to the 10 most needy students from Pwani University.
“If the student leaders have a contribution to make, we shall create a mechanism to listen to them. We are willing to receive more ideas to improve the model,” the Deputy President said.
Gachagua said the government adopted the University Education Funding Model to enhance access to education, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Among other issues, the model gives guidance on full, partial and loan financing based on their financial background.
Inyangala said students will have an opportunity to give feedback on the model to enable it to meet the needs of all students.
“I want to assure you that we have received good feedback. Our team will go around universities including Pwani University to collect feedback from students and other stakeholders,” she said.
She said the model has opened more opportunities for disadvantaged students, and a review will make it even better.
The Deputy President and the PS were responding to a question from one of the students, Amina Mohamed.
During the address, the DP asked the students to shun alcohol, drug and substance abuse and concentrate on their studies.
He said education will enable them to grow to be better leaders.
He also challenged them to remain focused on their studies and take up new challenges as part of their growth.
As part of his mentorship plan, DP picked one of the students to join him for his international trip to Rwanda over the weekend.
This is in addition to the students of Muranga University of Technology, who will also be on the trip. The first public lecture was held in Muranga last month.
The DP was accompanied by Kilifi County Deputy Governor Flora Mbetsa, Idris Dakota (Principal Secretary, Cabinet Affairs at the Office of the Deputy President), Owen Baya (Deputy Majority Leader, National Assembly) and senators John Methu (Nyandarua) and Joseph Githuku (Lamu) and MPs Gitonga Mukunji (Manyatta), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Njeri Maina (Kirinyaga Woman Representative), Kuria Kimani (Molo), Peter Salasya (Mumias East), Stanley Muthama (Lamu West) and Josses Lelmengit (Emgwen).