President William Ruto has scheduled a night town hall meeting to address and defend the new university funding model, which has sparked varied reactions among stakeholders.
The address will take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Sunday, August 25, 2024, starting at 7:00 pm.
According to the Office of Government Spokesperson, President Ruto will focus on clarifying the new funding model and responding to related questions.
The meeting aims to provide a comprehensive explanation of the new approach, which differs significantly from the previous Differentiated Unit Cost model.
The updated funding model allocates resources based on students’ financial needs rather than their chosen courses.
It features five bands categorized by family income levels.
The Ministry of Education utilizes the Means Testing Instrument (MTI) to determine financial aid for students, placing them into one of the bands according to their financial need.
Here’s a breakdown of the new funding bands:
- Band 1: For families with a monthly income of sh5,995 or less. Students receive 70% of government scholarships and a 25% loan, totaling 95% government support.
The family contributes 5%, and the student gets a sh60,000 upkeep loan.
- Band 2: For families with a monthly income up to sh23,670. Students receive 60% in scholarships and a 30% loan, amounting to 90% government support.
The family covers 10%, with the student receiving a sh55,000 upkeep loan.
- Band 3: For families earning up to sh70,000 per month.
Government support includes a 50% scholarship and a 30% loan, totaling 80%.
The family’s contribution is 20%, and the student gets a sh50,000 upkeep loan.
- Band 4: For families with monthly incomes up to sh120,000.
This band offers a 40% scholarship and a 30% loan, providing 70% government support.
Families contribute 30%, while the student receives a sh45,000 upkeep loan.
- Band 5: For families earning above sh120,000.
Students receive 30% in scholarships and a 30% loan, totaling 60% government support.
The family contributes 40%, with the student getting a sh40,000 upkeep loan.
The new model has faced criticism, with some arguing that the banding system increases education costs.
Notable figures like Chief Justice Martha Koome and Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua have voiced concerns about the model’s impact on affordability.
President Ruto’s town hall meeting is expected to address these criticisms and provide detailed insights into the new funding structure.
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