New University Funding Model to be implemented with some changes: CS Ogamba says

The contentious university funding model will be put into effect with some changes.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has announced that the government will adhere to the Court of Appeal’s directive to publish the revised framework within 14 days.

This announcement coincided with news that candidates who took the 2024 KCSE examination could begin selecting their preferred courses and universities starting Friday.

The CS is expected to officially announce the commencement of the selection and placement process, which had been postponed due to an ongoing legal challenge regarding the new funding model.

However, on Wednesday, the Court of Appeal authorized the government to proceed with implementing the model.

On Thursday, Ogamba stated that the framework would be adjusted based on the recommendations from the National Committee on the Review of the Model.

“The Court of Appeal has suspended the High Court’s decision regarding the implementation of the new funding model. This indicates that the government will move forward with the funding model, but we will modify it according to the recommendations,” the CS said during the Homa Bay County Education Day.

CS Ogamba urged Kenyans to support the new model.

“The transformative student funding model aims to resolve the financial challenges faced by disadvantaged students in universities,” he explained.

He noted that the government has allocated Sh41 billion to support the education of 240,000 university students.

“Any school head who has not received textbooks one month after the distribution begins should contact KICD,” he added.

Regarding placement, the court ruling on Wednesday clears the way for a process that had left universities, agencies, students, and parents in limbo. The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service is expected to open its portal for approximately 246,000 students to apply for admission.

The Higher Education Loans Board has confirmed it will begin processing applications for 109,000 students and will open appeals for students next week, in accordance with the court order.

Public universities have been experiencing a financial crisis, with all 39 institutions lacking government funding since October.