Students queuing to register for the KUCCPS sensitization on the university funding model. Photo: Peter Ologi; KTMN
Kenya Universities and College Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) in collaboration with Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and University Fund Kenya have embarked on sensitizing university hopefuls on the myths about the New University Funding Model in Kenya.
This follows the ambiguity in the new university funding system that has left parents contemplating on how they will fund their children’s education in the higher learning institutions.
Speaking at St Pius Uriri Boys’ High School during the orientation, Sabato Convil, KUCCPS representative at the event, said that the goal is to declassify the misconceptions on the reviewed funding.
“We are all gathered here to clear the air and let the students differentiate the facts from lies on whatever they have been consuming from the internet concerning the funding,” said Sabato.
Sabato clarified that all students joining public universities and colleges are eligible to get scholarships that will sponsor part of the fees per academic year.
He further added that unfortunately, those who will be joining private universities will not secure the scholarship, however, they are eligible to apply for the HELB loans.
“From the website, those who will join the public schools will secure scholarships to cater for part of the payable fees. However, those joining private institutions will not. However, there are provisions for applying for loans,” he clarified.
He, however, advised the students that it is not paramount that they will secure the loans they apply for since loan eligibility for the students will depend on several considerations and information given.
Hellen Magotsi, whose son will join Kabianga University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Education, decried the unclear funding procedures.
According to Hellen, it is unclear which students are better placed to secure the university funding scholarship.
“For sure, the process has always been opaque for us parents whose children will be joining the university because of the unfiltered information we get concerning the fund,” she complained.
Joyce Akeyo who secured a chance to join Moi University, said that she lacks enough information about the new model.
Speaking on behalf of the students, she thanked the partnership saying that it will at least help them have the facts that will help them make clear steps.
Joyce said that her two attempts to apply for the funding have born no fruit due to lack of enough knowledge about the funding.
She, however, thanked the area legislator, Mark Nyamita for the swift move to organize sensitization for the stranded students.
“I am very grateful to the area MP for the quick intervention to help us get the facts and avoid mistakes that could arise from this ambiguous process,” she noted.
Her words were echoed by Vitalis Ongoro, who showed gratitude to the area MP for being considerate of the youthful generation by investing in education.
Ongoro advised the students to take keen note of the importance of education, urging them to put effort and replicate the area MP’s efforts.
“I urge all the students who will benefit from this mentorship to be advocates of the change that we all want to achieve through education, which will be a replica of our MP’s effort,” said Ongoro.
The initiative was aided by Uriri Member of Parliament who has been at the forefront of championing for accessible and affordable education in the constituency where he has seen the mushrooming of several TVETS.
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