State faces pressure over education policies

In a series of decisions that have seen the government backpedal on its earlier policies, it has become evident that pressure from students, academic institutions, and key stakeholders is forcing a reconsideration of earlier stances on higher education matters.

One of the most significant reversals came in the government’s approach to the banding of students.

Initially, the state had implemented a system that categorised students in bands, prompting many to re-apply under the new status.

Under the new funding model, the students are classified in five categories that are referred to as bands.

Band one represents the neediest while Band Five represents students from high-income households.

However, nearly 13,000 first-years appealed for re-categorization saying they were placed in the wrong banding category.

“The new funding model is inconsiderate, it is evil and should be disbanded,” said Rocha Madzao, The University of Nairobi students’ leader.

The new model of funding of higher education was placed under scrutiny with the legislators in June when they called for its nullification questioning the criteria used by the university education funding to place students in different bands for the issuance of scholarships and loans.

“Did we as a country rush into this new funding model? Many students of peasant farmers are claiming that the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) model is working better than the current new funding model,” Marakwet MP Timothy Toroitich said.

However, after facing a strong backlash, including protests from students and faculty alike, the government made a sudden U-turn, urging students to reapply for new placement.

The government further established two committees to engage students and other stakeholders in discussions regarding the newly implemented university funding model.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the committees will include student leaders, experts, and other relevant stakeholders, with the aim of finding a mutually agreeable solution.

“We are facing teething problems in awarding loans and scholarships with reports that some beneficiaries could have been placed in bands that do not reflect the economic realities,” said Ogamba.

Geoffrey Monari, CEO of the Universities Fund, attributed the incorrect banding of university students to false information, laxity, and inadequate network infrastructure.

“We have received numerous appeals from Kenyans concerned about the bands they were placed in but will process them and recategorise them accordingly,” Monari said. 

In another major policy shift, the government reversed its decision regarding university placements and school fees. Last year, new fee structures were issued to students, causing confusion and unrest.

The Ministry of Education revoked previously issued fee structures for first-year students placed in universities by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).

This decision applies to students who were set to join public universities in September for the 2023/2024 academic year.

In a statement, the Higher Education Principal Secretary Dr Beatrice Inyangala, asked parents and guardians to disregard these prior communications.

“Any fee information previously communicated by universities in admission letters is now null and void,” said Inyangala.