By Debra Rono
President William Ruto has today directed universities to withdraw the admission letters previously sent to students that outlined the costs of courses. Instead, he has instructed them to issue new letters detailing the specific tuition fees each student is required to pay.
Speaking during a development tour in Bomachoge Chache in Kisii County, President Ruto directed the Ministry of Education and higher learning institutions to retract the erroneous letters to prevent any confusion.
“I want to assure you that we are implementing a new directive today because the initial letters sent to our children contained inflated course charges. All of those letters must be revoked, and starting today, we will distribute new letters that accurately reflect the amounts parents are expected to pay,” Ruto stated.
Additionally, President Ruto reassured Kenyans that the government will provide support to any student whose parents are unable to afford tuition fees through the provision of bursaries, loans, and scholarships.
According to President Ruto, the government has increased funding for higher education from Ksh 45 billion to Ksh 82 billion to ensure that every student entering higher learning institutions can pursue their studies without hindrance.
“The government must ensure that no student resorts to fundraising to attend university, as we have scholarships, bursaries, and loan facilities available. We have raised the funding from Ksh 45 billion to Ksh 82 billion, ensuring we have sufficient resources to guarantee access to education without the burden of financial constraints on their guardians and parents,” he emphasized.
The head of state’s directive aims to eliminate confusion regarding the fee structures communicated to students preparing to join their first year in the upcoming weeks. Many parents have expressed concern over the substantial amounts indicated in the fee structures as tuition costs.
“I want to inform all parents in Kenya that the letters you received from universities detailing the costs of the courses your child was set to undertake are misleading. We will instruct universities to issue new letters from today that will clarify the actual amounts parents are required to pay,” added the head of state.
Ministry of Education Principal Secretary Beatrice, in July had announced that new fee structures will be released by August 5, 2024, for first-year students placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
Furthermore, she urged parents to disregard any prior communications from institutions concerning fees.
“The Ministry of Education would like to inform the public, especially parents and guardians of students, that the fees previously stated in the admission letters for each degree program are now null and void,” Inyangala remarked.
“Starting August 5, the respective universities will provide information regarding the new fees that each student is required to pay as a household contribution,” she added.