The government, through the Ministry of Education, has announced plans to review and adjust university fees as part of a broader initiative to ensure smooth and uninterrupted learning in higher education institutions.
Appearing before the Senate Education Committee on Thursday afternoon, Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Monari explained that the proposed changes aim to strike a balance between affordability for students and financial sustainability for universities.
While updating the committee on the current status of HELB, Monari disclosed that the government is also looking into increasing the board’s financial capacity to provide more student loans and improve bursary allocations.
During the session, senior officials from the Ministry of Education, led by Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala, defended the university funding model introduced by President William Ruto’s administration in 2023.
While acknowledging that the model has some challenges, Inyangala informed lawmakers that the government plans to introduce a hybrid funding system.
This new approach will combine government scholarships, student loans, and partnerships with the private sector to ensure students receive adequate financial support.
On her part, PS Muganda reaffirmed that the new funding model has made university education more accessible and has led to an increase in student applications.
However, Inyangala’s remarks come at a time when the funding model faces legal hurdles following a High Court injunction that temporarily stopped its full implementation.
Despite her defence, members of the Senate Education Committee, led by Vice Chairperson Senator Margaret Kamar, raised concerns about the future of university financing.
They questioned how the suspension of the new model is affecting students and demanded clarity on what steps the government is taking to avoid disruptions in learning.
Senators also asked whether students already enrolled under the new model would continue receiving financial assistance and what alternative measures were in place to support those in need.
“How will this new funding model benefit both parents and students while ensuring they understand how the financial assistance is categorized?” Senator Kamar asked.
In response, PS Muganda assured the committee that although the court order had paused full implementation, some aspects of the new model had already been rolled out.
She further explained that the government is actively engaging key stakeholders, including the judiciary, universities, and financial institutions, to address the legal issues and bring stability to university funding.
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