By PSCU
Worth Noting:
- The committee questioned the accuracy of the data collected for the funding model, particularly for students in rural areas with limited access to formal employment and social programs.
- “Does this funding model take into account people who don’t have NHIF or KRA or even IDs, People in rural areas don’t have these documents,” stated Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera .
- He was echoed by Kasipul Kabodo MP Eve Obara who raised alarm over the accuracy of the needs assessment process used to determine student financial aid eligibility.
- “This funding model that the Ministry is using, are the variables verifiable?” asked Obara.
The National Assembly Committee on Education has questioned Ministry of Education officials over the implementation of the University Funding model and the state of University admissions.
In a meeting chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, Committee members met with Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, PS, State Department for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Agnes Wahome, Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) CEO, Mr. Geoffrey Monari, Universities Fund, and Mr. Charles Ringera, CEO, Higher Education Loans Board.
Lawmakers raised concerns about the the University Funding model’s reliance on data sources including KRA, NHIF, and mobile network providers could disadvantage students from rural areas and those in informal employment sectors where formal registration might be limited.
“How accurate is the means-testing instrument?” asked Kibra MP Peter Orero.
The committee questioned the accuracy of the data collected for the funding model, particularly for students in rural areas with limited access to formal employment and social programs.
“Does this funding model take into account people who don’t have NHIF or KRA or even IDs, People in rural areas don’t have these documents,” stated Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera .
He was echoed by Kasipul Kabodo MP Eve Obara who raised alarm over the accuracy of the needs assessment process used to determine student financial aid eligibility.
“This funding model that the Ministry is using, are the variables verifiable?” asked Obara.
According to submissions by PS Inyangala, in the new funding model, students are assessed and placed in financial aid bands that determine the percentage of their university fees covered by scholarships, loans provided by the Higher Education Loans Board, HELB, and household contributions.
On his part, Mr. Charles Ringera, CEO, Higher Education Loans Board, informed the Committee that multiple data sources are used to verify applicant information and in the funding model, including the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), National Integrated Population Registry Service (NIPRS), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), and National Employment Authority (NEA).
Education committee members further put the Ministry to task over it’s poor communication to University learners regarding the tution fees expected.
The committee noted that parents had received admission letters without a clear breakdown of government scholarships, HELB and their contribution as per the funding model.
“The University admission letters with huge figures are causing panic in parents and students,” stated Melly, criticizing the lack of clear communication by the Ministry and calling for the withdrawal of the University admission letters.
The Members of Parliament directed that the University admission letters should be withdrawn and new ones issued with detailed breakdown of exact tution fee including government scholarships, HELB and contribution per household
Members of the Education Committee, recounted details of parents, particularly those representing the most vulnerable students, were discouraged from applying for funding due to this lack of clarity on whether they will receive aid.
Committee members also highlighted instances where students were placed in funding bands beyond their families’ means, leading to university rejections.
Speaking on the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) application portal, leguslators further pointed out challenges with the KUCCPS application portal.
“Is the KUCCPS portal operational? asked Clive Gisairo of Kitutu Masaba constituency, following reports of delays in the application process that have locked out students.
“The portal is not working,” remarked committee Vice Chair and Malava MP Malulu Ijendi, pointing to technical glitches encountered by users during the application process on the KUCCPS platform.
Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala PS, State Department for Higher Education and Research acknowledged the concerns raised by the Committee and pledged to address them.
“We acknowdge they are done gaps in this process that is why we have an appreals process,” PS Inyangala stated.
The Principal Secretary for Higher Education, CEO Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service and the HELB CEO are expected to appear before the Committee on Tuesday next week.
The committee on Education has demanded a demonstration of the KUCCPS portal and the University funding model from the Ministry officials at the next meeting.
“At the next meeting we want you to physically demonstrate the portal application process and the use of the university funding model. We also want a proper fees structure for students inclusive of subsidies offered” stated the committee chairperson while concluding the meeting.
The committee has also directed the Ministry to provide details on funds allocated to Public Universities.