Solve varsity students’ serious funding crisis

After working hard and qualifying for university admission, it is quite disappointing that many students are being forced to defer their dreams because of lack of funding. This is so despite the government’s assurances on a new student funding model.

Thousands expected to report to university early next month are stuck. They have secured admission, but some cannot raise the Sh85,000 they are expected to pay per semester.

At the University of Nairobi, for instance, 18 engineering students may be forced to abandon their studies after being issued with demand letters over fee arrears. They may have overcome the initial hurdles but are struggling to remain on campus.

Needy students are delaying to report, while those already admitted are facing the financial crunch. The high fees and accommodation costs are keeping some at home despite receiving their admission letters. The funding crisis is persisting despite President William Ruto’s recent pledge to implement 100 per cent government funding for students admitted to public universities and TVET colleges. This was expected to replace the previous needs-based banding model with full state backing, making household contributions optional.

It is disheartening to see students stranded after earning their university slots. This creates immense stress for their families. This crisis is an indictment of the government’s pursuit of the wrong priorities. As the students’ fate remains in limbo, the government has just forked out Sh2.8 billion to change the National Police Service uniform for 60,000 officers, which, though important, was not urgent at all

The launch of the new police uniform has sparked public criticism of the allocation and use of national resources.

Indeed, this huge expenditure has come amid the deepening financial crisis in the higher education sector, as students grapple with funding challenges.

This is a tall order, as the funding gap for the current academic year is a whopping Sh17 billion. The government must provide the funds to enable these young people to realise their dreams.

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