By Grace Gilo
Vice-chancellors of public universities have been instructed to admit all qualified students without exception.
All students joining universities have been assured of admission and no student shall be turned back for non-payment of household contribution.
This directive has been issued by the Ministry of Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Migos Ogamba.
“The Ministry of Education wishes to inform all students who have qualified for university admission that they are guaranteed a place in their chosen institutions, irrespective of their ability to immediately pay the household contribution,” read the statement in part from CS Education.
Additionally, the Vice-Chancellors are required to facilitate suitable accommodation arrangements for first-year students, with the guarantee that the necessary fees will be paid upon disbursement of the upkeep component.
According to the CS, the Ministry is working with the National Treasury to expedite the release of the requisite funds.
“These directives reflect the Government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that no deserving student is denied the opportunity to pursue higher education due to financial constraints,” added the CS.
Students with inquiries or appeals regarding fees and funding are encouraged to contact the ministry’s dedicated teams at universities during admission or through the Higher Education Portal at www.hef.co.ke.
Appeals will be processed within three weeks from the date of application, ensuring timely financial support for students in need.
The deadline for applications has been extended to 31st December 2024, to accommodate those who may face delays.
“As a Ministry, we welcome recommendations from Parliament and other stakeholders on strengthening the New Funding Model and improving the Means Testing Instrument,” stated the Ministry.
To ensure sustainable financing of higher education, the education ministry shall earnestly work with all stakeholders to develop a legal and policy framework that consolidates the various bursary and scholarship schemes provided by different entities, such as NG-CDF, County Governments, the Ministry of Education and other public and private organizations.
The consolidation of these public resources will promote equity and affordability in education while also improving efficiency by reducing waste.
“We remain steadfast in our mission to provide quality education for all and will continue to work towards creating an inclusive, accessible, and equitable education system for every student in the country,” the CS assured.