VCs ordered to admit all students including those who can't pay fee
Education
By
Lewis Nyaundi
| Aug 22, 2024
Vice-chancellors of public universities have been instructed to admit all students without fees.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migosi directed VCs to admit qualified students unconditionally and assist them with accommodation, even if they cannot pay immediately.
"The Ministry of Education wishes to inform all students who have qualified for university education that they are guaranteed a place in their chosen institutions, irrespective of their ability to immediately pay their household contribution," Migosi said in a statement yesterday.
The decision is a reprieve for parents but will be a major pain for institutions already grappling with inadequate funds, leading to half salary for staff.
The delayed and half salary for staff is subject of an impending strike already called by the University Academic Staff Union (UASU).
And the push to admit all students without fees, VCs said, might worsen the already dim funding situation in public universities.
Mr Migos however said the decision aims to expand access to higher education and ensure no deserving student is denied opportunity to pursue further studies.
On Wednesday, Chief of staff Felix Koskei, said the government has released Sh2.8 billion for university scholarships to the University Fund (UF).
He said another Sh5.2 billion has been released to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) for student loans.
It was not however immediately clear whether the money Mr Koskei said had been sent, was to cater for new students or the continuing lot.
The decision to admit students without fees and before disbursement of funds could however place an additional strain on the institutions. Vice Chancellor's committee chairman, Daniel Mugendi, told The Standard the institutions will operate with funds released for continuing students as they await disbursement for new students.
"We have been told that the monies have already been released to the University Funding Board and HELB so universities will receive funds soon but in the meantime, we will use that as await disbursement for the new students," Mugendi said.
In July, salary delays and half-pay in universities sparked discontent and threats of industrial action by the University and Academic Staff Union (UASU) ahead of the academic calendar.
Citing reduced and delayed capitation release, universities warned of potential salary cuts. Some institutions have already implemented 50-65 per cent salary reductions.
UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga threatened a strike if the government does not address these issues. "From September no learning in public universities as we issue a seven-day notice to strike... there will be no university education if the government doesn't want to be serious," said Mr Wasonga.
Financial strain in universities has been the source of pain and woes. In May it emerged the total debt burden across all institutions hit a staggering Sh76 billion.
A document tabled before the National Assembly Committee on Education and seen by The Standard reveals that the University of Nairobi accounts for the lion's share of the debt lumping up Sh.18 Billion.
This is followed by Technical University of Kenya owing Sh10.367 billion, Egerton University third with Sh10.363 billion, Kenyatta University with Sh9.538 billion and JKUAT with an outstanding debt of Sh8.857 billion.
The debt saw the Ministry of Education declare 23 universities technically insolvent; meaning they cannot pay their debts.
This includes Kenyatta University, Multimedia University, Kabianga, Technical University of Kenya, Kisii, Koitalel Samoei University.