As Kenya rolls out its new higher education funding model, education stakeholders in Mombasa are raising concerns over its accessibility and potential impact on equity, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Mahmoud Noor, founder and chief mentor of Swahilipot Hub, a community initiative in Mombasa, voiced his apprehensions during an interview with Education News, emphasizing that while the model has noble intentions, its success hinges on widespread understanding and acceptance among the students and parents it aims to serve.
“The model could be effective, but without proper outreach and engagement, it risks being rejected by the very people it is meant to help,” Noor stated.
He mentors hundreds of youth at Swahilipot Hub, which is located near the historic Fort Jesus.
One of the key issues Noor highlighted is the digital divide that could exacerbate inequalities. He pointed out that many students from remote and impoverished areas lack basic access to the internet, which is crucial for registering for scholarships and loans under the new model.
“Think about students in regions like Turkana, Tana River, or those bordering Somalia and Ethiopia in the North Eastern parts of the country,” he said. “These students are already grappling with poverty, and now they face the added challenge of accessing the internet to apply for funding. This digital divide could exclude many deserving students from higher education opportunities.”
The new funding model, launched by President William Ruto on May 3, 2023, seeks to address the financial strains on public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions caused by increased enrollment and limited funding.
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The Universities Fund will provide scholarships covering 30% to 70% of students’ education costs based on their financial need. The remainder is expected to be covered through household contributions and student loans, with the Means Testing Instrument (MTI) assessing each student’s financial situation.
However, Noor cautioned that without timely disbursement of funds by the Treasury, universities may struggle to maintain educational standards, which could lead to unrest among staff and students.
“If the release of funds is delayed, universities won’t be able to pay their staff on time, leading to strikes and a decline in the quality of education,” Noor warned. “This not only affects the students but also undermines the entire education system.”
Noor also underscored the risk that the model, despite its focus on need-based funding, might not fully achieve its goal of equalizing educational opportunities if barriers like poverty and lack of infrastructure are not addressed.
“The model is designed to help needy students, but if these students are blocked by poverty from accessing the necessary resources to apply for aid, the whole purpose is defeated,” he said.
Noor called on the government to engage more deeply with communities and ensure that all students, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds, have a fair chance to benefit from the new funding system.
The new model replaces the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) previously used to finance universities, marking a significant shift in how higher education is funded in Kenya.
However, as Noor and other stakeholders have pointed out, the success of this model will depend on how well it addresses the complex realities faced by students across the country.
By Hilton Mwabili
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