Handle university funding carefully not to limit access

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua with University of Eastern Africa Baraton Vice Chancellor Prof Philip Maiyo at Chesumei Constituency during its 41st Graduation on August 13, 2023. [DPCS, Standard]

The government's bid to resolve the funding of universities nightmare is definitely noble, but its ramifications must not negate whatever benefit should have accrued.

A keen observer of how our universities have operated for several years now, can see what the government is trying to achieve with the new funding model.

For a long time, universities had been choked out of finances as the funds allotted did not match the number of students, even as the government continued to push higher the number of students qualifying for government support.

The first sign of overstretching resources came earlier when universities could no longer accommodate all their students within the halls of residence. Then come debts. The total amount owed by universities to various institutions has crossed the Sh61 billion mark. So clearly, there was a problem. However, by the new funding model, the first thing that has happened is universities have found an opportunity to readjust payable fees. It has been proven by numbers that even private students will have to pay more. Again, the fee structures shared by various universities show a disparity across various institutions.

Then the fact that favourite career choices for bright students that include Medicine and Engineering seem on the higher scales in the proposed fee structures, coming with a higher loan burden and out of pocket expenses.

For instance, the average cost per year for a degree in Medicine will be around Sh612,000. Given that all students will get 93 per cent funding, there will be an out of pocket expense of Sh42,840.

This has not factored in upkeep and accommodation which might double the figure. The loan burden will be Sh244,800 annually for the six-year duration. Now it is pretty obvious that even those who qualify for the course might be forced to do two things: choose a cheaper course that comes with less out of pocket expenses and loan burden and go for the university that offers the course at the lowest rate. This is how Kisii University took a big chunk of students qualifying for government sponsorship.

The unfortunate reality is that few Kenyans are lucky to get jobs after completing their studies. Those who do, have to start from the lowest end of the scale, where they stagnate for years.

Many get underemployed and earn salaries way below their qualifications and work output. Again, for many, careers move in staccato. This month they have a salary, next month they don't.

While the new model will cure financial deficiencies in the running of universities, it comes with a marginal increase in individual burden which will potentially push away some from seeking university education. Education will thus lose its function in society as the great equaliser.

The writer is anchor at Radio Maisha