Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, the Principal Secretary (PS) for Higher Education has outlined the Ministry of Education’s commitment to delivering quality, affordable, and relevant education across all levels.
She emphasized the crucial role of universities in shaping careers and driving economic development in the country.
The PS was speaking in Kakamega on Monday during the inaugural consultative meeting between members of the county executive and national government officials who hail from the county.
The meeting was convened by Kakamega governor Fernandez Barasa in a quest to explore development opportunities.
Dr. Inyangala urged higher education institutions to embrace transformation by engaging with local communities.
“What universities do is not meaningful unless it changes the lives of our people,” she stated, calling for a focus on real-world impacts and civic engagement.
Addressing economic challenges, she encouraged students to seize opportunities for internships and entrepreneurship, citing recent labor migration agreements with countries like Germany and France as avenues for growth.
“Our children and parents need better information about these opportunities,” she said.
On the topic of research, Dr. Inyangala highlighted the importance of aligning university research with local needs, particularly in sectors like agriculture and the digital economy. She reiterated the need for collaboration to enhance productivity and service delivery.
She also tackled misconceptions regarding the new funding model for university education. Contrary to popular belief, she clarified that tuition fees have not increased.
“The model aims to share costs more equitably between the government and families while ensuring that vulnerable students continue to receive substantial support.” She said
Dr. Inyangala detailed how funding varies based on need, with government scholarships covering significant portions of tuition.
She noted the dire situation under previous funding structure, stating that they left 23 universities in financial distress, leading to potential closures.
“To avert this crisis, the government introduced a balanced model of scholarship and loan support, ensuring that “no student pays more than a fraction of their tuition costs.”
For vulnerable students studying disciplines like medicine, she said they would only pay Ksh30,000 which is 5% of the program cost.
“For students from vulnerable backgrounds, the maximum they pay for a course like medicine program is just 30,000, and so this model’s aims to make higher education accessible to all, regardless of economic status,” she said.
The PS acknowledged the challenges in accurately assessing family incomes and the complexities involved in the funding model’s implementation.
Dr. Inyangala’s call to action resonated: “We must ensure that our funding system supports all students effectively and equitably.”
She underscored a pivotal moment in Kenyan education, highlighting the Ministry’s proactive approach to bridging the gap between higher education and socio-economic development.
By Calistus Imbayi
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
