The Ministry of Education has directed all public universities, colleges and TVETS to admit first year students and trainees from the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) cohort pending the processing of their funding applications.
“Universities and colleges shall admit all students from the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education cohort as placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service, pending the processing of their applications for funding,” the circular reads.
The ministry noted that students and trainees who have already acquired placement to various colleges and universities are currently in the process of applying for funding through the newly unveiled funding model.
According to Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, public universities and colleges will begin admission for the Academic Year 2023/2024 on different dates, varying between 24th August 2023 to 25th September 2023.
Machogu further directed universities and colleges to have a help desk aimed at assisting first year students in their applications for funding.
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“Each university and college shall have in place a help desk to support first year students that may need assistance in relation to their funding applications,” he stated.
While appearing before the National Assembly’s education committee on Thursday, August 24, CS Machogu said no student should be dismissed for lack of funds.
Moreover, the CS affirmed that universities would receive the necessary funds to ensure admission for first-year students.
According to the CS, this move is meant to avoid delays or difficulties in admitting students without the necessary funds.
Loan Application Through the New Funding Model
Nonetheless, the Ministry of Education through the Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board, rolled out a New Funding Model for universities and Technical, Vocational Education and Training Institutes (TVETS).
Applications for the funds and scholarships opened on July 31, 2023, and will close on September 7, 2023.
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As such, students and trainees have begun applying for the funds through the Higher Education Funding portal, accessible on the website.
However, some parents, students and trainees have since raised complaints, saying they are facing difficulties applying for the funds.
Some students have not yet attained the age of acquiring the National Identification Cards which is a mandatory requirement for the applications.
Others complain that the system is slow and inaccessible, hence rendering them unable to complete the application process.
