Pay University Fees: Changes to New Funding Model.
In a recent revision to the new higher education funding model, parents are now required to make partial payments to fees for institutions of higher learning. Previously, the new model focused on alleviating parents’ financial burdens. However, this does not seem to be the case.
The framework for the revised finding model indicates that students in all five categories will now receive funding ranging between Sh40,000 to Sh60,000 depending on family income level and financial capabilities.
Further, the revisions to the funding model now require all households to bear educational costs in the country. Compared to the initial framework, which focused on exempting the country’s vulnerable and needy from paying such expenses, the new framework seems to deviate from realizing that goal.
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Before the revisions, education stakeholders raised concerns concerning the viability of the higher education funding model as envisioned by President William Ruto. These concerns now drive the current modifications to the funding framework.
According to the initial funding model framework, students in the lowest category, ‘vulnerable and extremely needy students,’ were not required to pay fees as the government could cater to their educational needs.
However, students in other categories, including “the needy and less needy,” were required to make Partial payments of up to 7% of their university fees. In addition to the varying scholarship rates, they are entitled to receive.
The new revisions present the introduction of a new category where parents contribute 40% of university fees, with students receiving Sh40,000 to cover their upkeep costs.
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These changes have come when the ministry of education is working diligently to ensure that implementing the new funding model is successful, with various education stakeholders working together to promote its long-term sustainability.
Importantly, these changes also come when many first-year students in various institutions of higher learning are still waiting for higher education funding allocation after the categorization process is complete.
Presently, many institutions of higher learning are grappling with financial challenges as they have yet to receive government funding.
Pay University Fees: Changes to New Funding Model.