President William Ruto has announced the doubling of funds allocated to the newly launched University Funding model as the government seeks to ensure Kenyans from all backgrounds get access to education.
“I want to assure parents and students on three things and tell them that the government has a funding model which we have allocated funds from Ksh5 billion to Ksh10 billion for our students who are learning in TVETS such as this one,” said Ruto.
“Another thing we have said is that all students who come from vulnerable backgrounds we are giving them scholarships covering for 80% or 90% so that they can be able to continue with their studies.”
At the same time, the Head of State issued a directive to the Ministry of Education saying that it owes parents through explanation on what the new university funding model entails to ensure that more vulnerable students are reached.
Ruto On New University Funding Model
“No student should be kicked out of class because they don’t have enough money to pay for their fees.
I want a proper explanation to parents so that parents can know the input and the difference that the new funding model is giving so that we can give more resources to students and to children from vulnerable backgrounds, so that no children of Kenya is kicked out,” he added.
Also Read: Why University Students Receiving Cash from Elsewhere Won’t Get Scholarships
The Head of State was making reference to the New Higher Education Funding Model he unveiled more than a year ago on May 3, 2023.
According to the government, the model was aimed at addressing challenges encountered by public universities and Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) institutions due to massive enrollment and inadequate funding.
The new funding framework replaced the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) previously used to finance universities and prioritizes a student’s financial need which separates placement from funding.
Further, the government said that funding for students would be provided through scholarships, loans, and household contributions.
Also Read: Govt Revokes Fees Structures Sent to First Year Students, Gives Way Forward
The Higher Education Government Student Scholarship, which is under the model, is a financial assistance program provided to learners in these public institutions.
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
Financed through government resources, this scholarship aims to support students pursuing undergraduate, diploma, craft certificate, and artisan education and is based on the actual cost of the program and the student’s financial needs.
President Ruto is in a tour of the Coast region where he has launched several government projects since he landed in Mombasa on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
On Friday, Ruto issued Ksh1.7 billion grants to 612 fishing groups drawn from Mombasa, Tana River, Kwale, Lamu and Kilifi Counties.
Ruto said fishing is a key component of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Development Agenda hence the investment in the blue economy to unlock its huge potential. This deliberate plan, according to the government, will generate more than Sh120 billion a year and create employment for thousands of our youth.
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