In response to widespread public dissatisfaction with the new university funding model, student leaders from the University of Nairobi (UoN) announced national demonstrations set to begin on Monday, September 2. The student leaders made their announcement during a press conference on Saturday, urging students from other universities across the country to join the protest.
The UoN student leaders expressed deep frustration with the new funding model, labeling it as discriminatory and arguing that it restricts access to university education for many Kenyans.
They emphasized that the model disproportionately affects students from less privileged backgrounds, making it harder for them to afford higher education. The planned protests aim to pressure the government to reconsider or revise the funding model to ensure more.
READ ALSO: Moi University Lecturers Initiates a Strike, Demands The Disbandment of University’s Council
The University of Nairobi (UoN) student leaders stated that their attempts to engage with the government over the concerns regarding the new university funding model have been unsuccessful. They explained that, despite their efforts to seek dialogue and address the issues, their concerns have not been adequately addressed.
As a result, they feel they have no choice but to call for nationwide demonstrations to voice their opposition to the funding model and push for changes that would ensure fair access to university education for all students. The protests are set to begin on Monday, September 2, with the student leaders urging participation from students across the country.equitable access to education for all Kenyans.
One of the University of Nairobi (UoN) student leaders expressed the frustration felt by many students and the public over the new university funding model, stating, “The public at large is crying because they have been placed in the wrong bands and subjected to pay excessive amounts of fees.”
The student leader emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling on all students from universities across the country, particularly those from UoN, to join the planned demonstrations on September 2.
READ ALSO: University Students to Protest over New University Funding Model, Laments Fees Hike
This development comes after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos assured students that the government is working to address their concerns regarding the funding model. However, despite these assurances, the student leaders believe that the government’s efforts have not been sufficient, prompting them to organize nationwide protests to demand immediate and tangible changes to the funding system.
On August 23, the Ministry of Education revealed that nearly 10,000 students have filed appeals through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal, challenging the new university funding model. The appeals come from students who feel they have been incorrectly placed in funding bands, leading to excessive fees.
Godfrey Monari, the Chief Executive Officer of the Universities Fund, confirmed that the review process for these appeals is already underway. Monari assured that students would receive updates on the status of their appeals within three weeks of their application.
Monari emphasized the importance of accurately identifying needy students to ensure they are placed in the correct funding bands. He explained that after processing the appeals, universities will be instructed to adjust the household fees for these students. The updated information will be made available on the HEF portal, and students will be notified via SMS alerts.
This effort by the Ministry of Education and the Universities Fund aims to address the concerns raised by students and ensure that the funding model is applied fairly, especially for those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
Godfrey Monari noted that the Ministry of Education is considering involving the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to verify the appeal cases submitted by students contesting the new university funding model.
This step is intended to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the data provided by the students in their appeals. By using NGAO for verification, the Ministry aims to accurately assess the financial needs of the students and ensure that the correct funding bands are applied, thus addressing the concerns of those who believe they were unfairly placed in higher fee categories.