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The National Assembly Committee on Education scrutinized the Ministry of Education officials regarding the implementation of the new University Funding model and current state of university admissions.
The session, led by Hon. Julius Melly (Tinderet), saw Committee Members engage with Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, PS, State Department for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Agnes Wahome, CEO of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), Mr. Geoffrey Monari from the Universities Fund, and Mr. Charles Ringera, CEO of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
Lawmakers expressed concerns about the funding model’s dependence on data from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), and mobile network providers, which they argued could disadvantage students from rural areas and those in informal employment sectors where formal registration is limited.
“How accurate is the means-testing instrument?” inquired Hon. Peter Orero (Kibra), reflecting the committee’s unease about the precision of data collection for the funding model, especially 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 Hon. Nabii Nabwera (Lugari).
Hon. Eve Obara (Kabondo Kasipul) echoed these concerns, questioning the reliability of the needs assessment process used to determine student financial aid eligibility. “This funding model that the Ministry is using, are the variables verifiable?” she asked.
PS Beatrice Muganda Inyangala explained that under the new funding model, students are assessed and placed in financial aid bands, which determine the percentage of their university fees covered by scholarships, loans from HELB, and household contributions. Mr. Charles Ringera, CEO of HELB, added that multiple data sources are used to verify applicant information, including KRA, National Integrated Population Registry Service (NIPRS), HELB, and the National Employment Authority (NEA).
Committee members also criticized the Ministry’s poor communication regarding tuition fees expected from university learners. “The University admission letters with huge figures are causing panic in parents and students,” stated Hon. Julius Melly, calling for the withdrawal of the unclear admission letters.
Legislators recounted instances where the lack of clarity on financial aid discouraged the most vulnerable students from applying for funding, and highlighted cases where students were placed in unaffordable funding bands, leading to university rejections. They also pointed out technical challenges with the KUCCPS application portal. “Is the KUCCPS portal operational?” asked Hon. Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), noting delays in the application process that have locked out students. Committee Vice Chair, Hon. Malulu Ijendi (Malava), remarked, “The portal is not working,” pointing to technical glitches encountered by users.
PS Inyangala acknowledged the concerns raised and pledged to address them, stating, “We acknowledge there are gaps in this process, which is why we have an appeals process.”
The Principal Secretary for Higher Education, CEO of KUCCPS, and the HELB CEO are expected to appear before the Committee again next Tuesday. The Committee has demanded a demonstration of the KUCCPS portal and the University funding model 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,” concluded Hon. Julius Melly.
The Committee also directed the Ministry to provide details on funds allocated to public universities.
