The High Court has declared the new university funding model unconstitutional, citing a lack of public participation. The government is now prohibited from proceeding with its implementation.
In August, Members of Parliament asked the government to consider remodelling the recently unveiled university funding model to ease access for learners.
The MPs argued that consolidating all funds intended to facilitate learning in both public and private universities would be a better way to make the funding more accessible to all learners.
They stated that the current model was complex and inaccessible to most students, preventing many potential learners from benefiting from the funding system.
The lawmakers proposed instead a consolidation of various funding streams, including those from members of county assemblies, MPs, women representatives, governors, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), and the University Fund.
Speaking during a meeting with the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Higher Education and Research, Beatrice Muganda, the lawmakers emphasised that combining the funds would improve access to higher education.
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula, who chaired the meeting, backed the proposal, emphasising the need for a streamlined funding process.
“We have MCAs, MPs, women representatives, governors, HELB loans, the University Fund, presidential bursaries, and private institutions offering bursaries,” Wetang’ula said.
“These funds should be amalgamated. The Ministry of Education should create a policy and legal framework to streamline this process. We can make free education a reality,” he added.
MPs also raised concerns about the impact of the university funding model on students, particularly those from marginalised areas.
During the meeting, members sought to know whether all students would benefit from the new funding model, noting that many students do not have national identity cards, despite having applied for funding.
The meeting was also attended by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Embu and the Chairman of the Vice-Chancellors’ Committee, Prof. Daniel Njiru, as well as the Chief Executive Officer of the Universities Fund, Geoffrey Monari.
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