Prof. Daniel Mugendi, Vice Chancellor of Kenya’s Public Universities, has refuted claims that the government’s new funding model will increase the burden of school fees on parents.
On Citizen TV’s The Big Conversation show on Wednesday, Mugendi said that the topic of hiked school fees is being raised, even though the new model, does not raise the cost of university education.
“I am actually surprised that we are talking of fees having been increased. Indeed we cannot be in a better time than now. There is no fees that has been increased. Indeed if you look at the model that the government has proposed, it is a model that is going to favour anyone,” said Mugendi.
Those seeking government assistance are divided into four categories: vulnerable, highly needy, needy, and less needy.
Under the higher education loans board, students classified as vulnerable and extremely needy will receive 100% government funding for their studies in the form of scholarships and loans.
Those classified as needy and less needy will receive 93% government funding, with students bearing 7% of the tuition costs.
Students in need will be eligible for government scholarships of up to 53% and loans of up to 40%.
“If you go for the most expensive programme, medicine, the amount that the household will contribute annually is only Ksh.42,800. When we are talking of fees being increased I don’t know what we are talking about.”
