Tharaka Nithi County Woman Rep Susan Mwindu has appealed to the national government to revise placement and funding method of University students.
She said some needy students who come from poor background were placed in the same band category with those from rich families which will disadvantage vulnerable children.
“Some of these families can only raise Sh6,000 in a month. Why compare a child from Ikumbo, Ithaeni or Ntentene whose mother cannot raise Sh2,000 per month with a family raising Sh100,000 per month? The government should revise the model,” Mwindu said.
She also urged the government to harmonize bursary funds sent to NG-CDF, Woman Rep’s office and County executive so that one student does not get a chunk of all these funds leaving others without a coin.
“If these funds are put in one basket with good arrangements and allocated depending on need basis, every student will benefit,” Mwindu said.
The new funding framework replaces the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) previously used to finance universities.
Unveiled on May 3, the model according to President William Ruto aims to ensure that all eligible students receive adequate educational financial support.
Ruto said the model seeks to address the challenges encountered by public universities and technical and vocational education (TVET) institutions due to massive enrolment and inadequate funding.
The model prioritises a student’s financial need and separates placement from funding.
Under this model, universities and TVET institutions will no longer receive block funding in the form of capitation but instead funding for students will be provided through scholarships, loans, and household contributions.
It also promotes the provision and access to quality higher education and ensures that all students are equitably and adequately supported based on their financial needs.
The model according to President Ruto aims to ensure that all eligible students receive adequate educational financial support
It also promotes the provision and access to quality higher education and ensures that all students are equitably and adequately supported based on their financial needs.
As the 2023 KCSE cohort prepares to embark on the next chapter of their education journey, the new funding model introduced by the government is set to be put to test.
The model explained: Band One:
This is primarily for the most needy group; a family whose monthly income is not beyond Sh5,995.
Under this category, the government scholarship will cover 70 per cent of the fees while the loan will cover 25 per cent, making the total support 95 per cent.
Here, the family will pay 5 per cent of the fees and the student will receive an upkeep loan from Helb of Sh60,000.
Band Two
This targets families whose monthly income does not exceed Sh23,670 but is above Sh5,995.
In this category, the government scholarship will cover 60 per cent while the loan will cover 30 per cent.
The family will pay 10 per cent of the fees. Under this category, the student will receive an upkeep loan of Sh55,000.
Band Three
This is for families whose monthly income is less than Sh70,000 but above Sh23,670.
Here, the government scholarship will cover 50 per cent, while the loan will cover 30 per cent.
The family will contribute 20 per cent of the fees supposed to be paid. Students in the category will receive an upkeep loan of Sh50,000.
Band Four
It targets families whose monthly income does not exceed Sh120,000 but is above Sh70,000.
The government scholarship will cover 40 per cent while the loan will cover 30 per cent.
Band Five
It is for families which earn more than Sh120,000 monthly.
In this category, families will pay 30 per cent of fees.
They will receive 30 per cent of the fees as a loan while their families will be required to pay 40 per cent of the fees.
It further ensures timely disbursement of funds to students through their higher education institutions.
