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{
    "id": 1451791,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1451791/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 44,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Samburu West, KANU",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Naisula Lesuuda",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education and Research regarding the application of the New Higher Education Funding Model. On 3rd May 2023, His Excellency the President launched the New Higher Education Funding Model, intended to ensure equitable access to higher education and address the challenges of inadequate funding encountered by public universities and Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) institutions. This new model replaces the system of block funding to universities and TVET institutions and provides for beneficiaries through loans, bursaries, or both, with students categorised into five bands based on financial need assessment. Concerns have emerged regarding the effectiveness of this new model. Despite assurances by the Ministry of Education that the model aims to closely align funding more with the needs of individual students, there is widespread confusion and anxiety among parents and students about its application. Of note is the system’s categorisation of students into five income-based bands, which has raised fears about accessibility to funding, particularly the disadvantaged students. Moreover, public universities are facing substantial debt and budget deficits, casting doubt on the ability of the model to address systemic financial challenges while maintaining equitable access to higher education. Hon. Speaker, it is against this background that I seek a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education and Research on the following: 1. A report on the application of the new funding model for public universities and TVETs, including the criteria for ensuring that the analysis and categorisation of beneficiaries into five income-based bands does not disadvantage the very needy children. 2. The efforts being made to simplify the model and enlighten the general public, particularly parents, guardians and students, on the model. 3. A clear breakdown of university fees, specifying fee obligations payable by parents/guardians and the amount to be offset through Government funding. 4. The safeguards provided in the formula to ensure that it does not roll back the gains made towards realising 100 per cent transition from secondary to university and TVET education. 5. The measures put in place to ensure that the high fees indicated in university admission letters do not bar needy students from admission to public universities and public-sponsored students placed in private universities. Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}