President William Ruto has taken steps to address growing concerns surrounding the new university funding model by appointing a specialized team to conduct a thorough review. This move comes in response to mounting criticism from university students who have voiced their frustration, claiming they feel excluded or unfairly treated under the current system.
The newly established team, comprised of a blend of university representatives and seasoned professionals, has been tasked with examining a variety of issues, particularly those related to student fees and categorization. The goal is to provide clarity and address both the criticisms and the support the model has garnered since its introduction.
Leading the review committee is Professor Japheth Ntiba, a respected academic figure. The committee was officially created under Executive Order No. 8 of 2024, with President Ruto issuing a formal statement about the formation of the team. He emphasized the legal and constitutional authority under which the committee was formed, stating, “I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by the Constitution and the Statute Law of the Republic of Kenya, do order and direct that the National Working Committee on Review of the New University Education Funding Model is hereby established.”
The committee’s responsibilities are expansive and critical. Its primary focus will be on four key areas: refining the current funding model, addressing student appeals regarding loan and scholarship allocations, categorizing students based on their eligibility for different funding bands, and reviewing the structure of student loans and university program costs.
This decision comes in the wake of a nationwide student protest, which saw university leaders demanding reforms to the funding model. Following a meeting with the Education Ministry, the strike was called off with the promise that a committee would be formed to address their concerns. Over 20,000 students have already lodged complaints, claiming they were placed in the wrong funding categories, further emphasizing the urgency of the committee’s work.
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