Deputy Government Spokesperson Gabriel Muthuma has commended the new higher education funding model stating that it will alleviate the suffering of students and transform the education sector.
Muthuma stated that the new model guarantees equitable access to higher education while also maintaining financial sustainability.
"This model aims to provide equitable access to quality higher education, ensuring that all eligible students receive appropriate financial support based on their needs," he said.
He said the previous system was unsustainable, leading to hitches in service payments and decreased lecturer attendance.
"As the President stated, why is a rich person's child given an 80 per cent scholarship, just like Mama Mboga's child? So the new model aims to address this unfairness," he said.
In a statement, Muthuma pointed out that upon taking office, President William Ruto inherited a Sh60 billion debt, which was pushing universities to the brink of crisis.
He said the situation created a substantial funding gap, causing significant struggles within universities and compromising the quality of education.
Muthuma explained that the government introduced the New Higher Education Funding Model (NFM) to address these challenges.
He emphasised that the model employs the Means Testing Instrument to assess student needs fairly, categorising them into five distinct funding tiers.
Muthuma highlighted that the model includes an increased education budget and seeks to clarify the costs and benefits of the new funding structure.
He said that the Means Testing Instrument will assess needs based on factors such as parental background, disability status, family size, gender, marginalisation, educational expenses, course type, and previous school type.
Muthuma also noted that placement and funding have been separated.
“Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service will now place students based on their choices and qualifications, while financial aid will be managed independently,” he noted.
He said another key change is funding based on the actual cost of the university programme where the new model will ensure that programmes requiring more resources are receiving more funds and getting enough support.
