President William Ruto has instructed all university vice-chancellors to permit students to sit for their end-of-semester exams, even if they have outstanding fee balances.
Speaking during the Scott Christian University graduation ceremony in Machakos on Friday, December 6, President Ruto emphasized the importance of humane consideration as universities await the disbursement of funds under the New Higher Education Funding Model (HEF).
“As we navigate the transition to the student-centered funding model, I urge universities to show patience and understanding.
Let students sit for their exams while we finalize the disbursement process,” said the President.
He highlighted that challenges with the previous funding system had left universities burdened with debt, necessitating a new, sustainable approach.
“The old model nearly forced many universities to shut down due to its Ksh120 billion debt.
We must move forward with a system that ensures financial stability for institutions and access to education for students,” he added.
President Ruto’s remarks come amid a court order halting the implementation of the HEF model.
On October 3, High Court Judge Justice Chacha Mwita issued a conservatory order following a petition by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and other groups.
The petitioners argued that the model, introduced in May 2023, could hinder access to higher education for many students.
They cited the mean testing instrument (MTI), which classifies applicants into five bands based on family income and socio-economic factors, as discriminatory and prone to errors.
Additionally, the requirement for students to be over 18 years old to qualify for funding was deemed exclusionary.
Critics also claimed that many needy students had received inadequate funding under the new model, which combines government scholarships, loans, and household contributions.
Justice Mwita’s order will remain in effect until the court resolves the petition.
President Ruto assured stakeholders that the government is committed to addressing these challenges and ensuring that no student is denied an education due to financial constraints.
“It is our responsibility to create a fair system that supports every student, regardless of their background,” he stated.
The President also clarified that government-sponsored students will not be transferred to private universities until the government clears pending payments to these institutions.
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