Sossion: University funding model needs review to work for all

Former Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary-General Wilson Sossion. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

 Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion has called for a review of the new university funding model, arguing it lacks inclusivity.

 Speaking on KTN News on Wednesday, 4 September, Sossion said the model’s implementation was flawed, excluding key stakeholders such as students, lecturers and the public.

“The Vice Chancellors should not have been left to determine the level of fees in public universities,” he said.

“We excluded students, lecturers and the public in developing this model, and that is why there is confusion.”

Sossion added that the model should have been easier to implement if leadership had been stronger, noting that poor households could have been better supported through scholarships and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).

He referenced the Sh84 billion allocated annually for education funding, saying, “If implemented correctly, the vulnerable students would be in Band One, but the current model is creating imbalances.”

The new funding model, introduced in May by President William Ruto, has sparked protests.

 On Monday, University of Nairobi students demonstrated against the scheme, claiming it unfairly distributes resources and will negatively affect higher education access.

University of Nairobi Students Association leader Rocha Madzayo urged students across the country to reject the model.

Madzayo stated that the new plan would “cripple university education” and called for the Ministry of Education to reconsider.

Ruto defended the funding model, saying it was designed to focus on students rather than universities.

Despite the government's defence, over 12,000 students have filed appeals through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal contesting the funding allocations.

The model divides students into five bands based on their families’ income.

Band One, for the most financially disadvantaged families, covers 95 per cent of fees through government scholarships and loans, leaving students to cover the remaining 5 per cent.

However, Band Five, targeting families with a monthly income exceeding Sh120,000, requires them to pay 40 per cent of the fees.

Critics, including some education stakeholders, argue that the model’s approach locks out the dreams of many needy students, making higher education less accessible for vulnerable groups.