Public universities on path to recovery with new funding model, says CS

ANN SALATON-KNA 

Education CS Julius Migos Ogamba has reiterated that the new university funding model is progressing well, easing the financial challenges that higher institutions are experiencing.

Ogamba noted that so far, over Sh41 billion has been disbursed to benefit about 240,000 students through loans and scholarships since the introduction of the model in 2023.

The CS also underscored the government’s commitment to addressing the financial crisis facing universities in recent years, observing that institutions of higher learning were indebted to the tune of Sh60 billion in 2023.

“Our public universities were indebted to the tune of Sh60 billion in 2023, with 23 out of 40 institutions declared technically insolvent,” he said.

He added that the introduction of the student funding model was designed specifically to address this challenge and restore universities to a path of growth and sustainability.

The CS spoke at the Maasai Mara University, Narok County, during the 12th graduation ceremony under the theme, “Innovation on environment resource management and climate change mitigation for sustainable management”. 

To date, he continued, the university’s management have reported that the new model is progressing well, easing the financial challenges, and placing them at a better position to pay their debts.

The CS confirmed that once the initial and formative challenges are addressed, the funding model will be the lasting solution to the financial challenges that the public universities are facing.

“It is for this reason that we are ready to keep improving the funding model, as it will guarantee the sustainability of our institutions and ensure that no deserving student is locked out of higher education,” he reiterated.

Ogamba appealed to the universities to be patient and accommodate the students as the government works to address the various challenges facing the implementation of the funding model.

He maintained that one of the critical roles of the university is research, and innovation, saying the government is committed to fostering innovation through initiatives such as the Ajira Digital and the Konza Technopolis, with a view to equipping young people to thrive in digital jobs.

The CS commended Maasai Mara University for championing the role of environmental conservation and encouraged individuals and other institutions to adopt and keep sustainable conservation practices.