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{
    "id": 1278868,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1278868/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 269,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mbeere North, DP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Ruku GK",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "It is also notable that the previous Government’s subsidy for higher learning has been removed and students who miss out on Government scholarships and HELB loans will have to pay the entire amount. Further, students would be required to apply for tuition funding every year with no guarantee of securing the funds on each application, among other tougher terms. While the new model could unlock a lot of potential in transforming funding for higher learning in our country, abundant caution must be exercised so that it does not jeopardise access to higher learning in this country. This is a matter of great concern given that the students who sat for Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 2022 are due to join universities and colleges in September, 2023 yet it is not clear whether the model will facilitate accessibility and affordability to higher learning or may end up commercialising the sector. Hon. Temporary Speaker, it is against this background that I seek leave for the adjournment of the House to discuss this matter of great national concern. Tertiary institutions stand as a beacon of knowledge, moulding the mind of our future leaders and advancing our society. A majority of Members of Parliament are in this House, courtesy of education. Were it not for education, personally, I would not be a Member of Parliament for Mbeere North Constituency. Therefore, there is need for the country to ensure fair and accessible higher education opportunities for every qualified Kenyan student. On 3rd May 2023, the Government of Kenyan rolled out the Variable Scholarship and Loan Funding Model. In the new funding model, students from vulnerable and extremely needy backgrounds will receive 100 per cent financing, while those from needy backgrounds will get 93 per cent. Household income bands are classified according to monthly household incomes outlined as follows: Vulnerable, Ksh0; Extremely needy, Ksh23,671 per month; Needy Kenyans, Ksh23,672 to Ksh70,000. Hon. Speaker, as we strive to provide equitable and quality higher education for all Kenyans, it is our duty to scrutinise the flaws inherent in the needs testing approach and explore more effective avenues for financing our institutions of higher learning. While designed with good intentions, the needs testing instrument presents a number of challenges that must be addressed by this House or the Ministry of Education. The following are the challenges that are associated with the new financing model: 1. The tuition fees have not been increased as per the degree programme. The previous automatic Government subsidy has been removed and the students who need the Government scholarships and loans will have to shoulder the entire burden. 2. More students qualified in medicine, engineering, pharmacy and other technical courses like actuarial sciences and many others will choose to do less expensive courses simply because their families cannot afford their dream career path. This might end up killing careers in medicine, engineering and other highly technical studies at the expense of art-based programmes. 3. The funding model also puts needy students at risk since qualification for tuition funding has to be done each year with no guarantee of securing the fund in each application. 4. Needs testing requires extensive effort to collect and verify financial data from the applicants. This complexity may lead to delays in funding, disbursement and administrative inefficiencies. Resources that could be directed towards enhancing education programmes and services may instead be spent in bureaucratic process. 5. The application system requires one to have an identification card and could disadvantage many students who do not have this document as they complete secondary school at an average of 16 or 17 years. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}