Kenyan Universities Directed to Admit Students Unconditionally Amid New Funding Model Challenges
In a pivotal development aimed at supporting incoming students in Kenyan universities and colleges, the Ministry of Education has mandated that all public universities admit students without regard to their households’ financial contributions. This directive, announced by Education Cabinet Secretary Julia Migos, comes as part of a broader strategy to address funding challenges under the new financial model.
The Ministry’s statement reassures students that their places in the institutions are secure, with a specific focus on ensuring that first-year students have access to sustainable accommodation. Vice-chancellors have been instructed to accommodate all first-year students and are assured that necessary fees will be covered upon the disbursement of the upkeep funds.
“The vice-chancellors are required to provide sustainable accommodation for all first-year students, with the guarantee that the necessary fees will be paid once the upkeep funds are available,” emphasized CS Migos. She further highlighted that the Ministry is collaborating with the National Treasury to ensure adequate funding.
This directive is part of the government’s commitment to enabling students to pursue their academic aspirations. Migos also announced plans to collaborate with various stakeholders to create a cohesive legal and policy framework that consolidates the numerous bursary and scholarship schemes available from entities such as the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), county governments, and other public and private sources.
The Ministry of Education reaffirms its dedication to providing high-quality education for all students. Students seeking to appeal their admissions or funding decisions are encouraged to use the Higher Education portal at www.hef.co.ke. The application deadline has been extended to December 31, 2024, with appeals expected to be processed within three weeks.
This move represents a significant shift in the approach to higher education funding, aimed at ensuring equitable access and support for students across the country.
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