The Government has released KSh30.5 billion to cover secondary schools capitation as well as loans and scholarships for the students in the public universities.
In statement released to the press on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, by the Ministry of Education (MoE), KSh7 billion will go towards Junior Secondary Schools education programme domiciled in public schools.
The ministry confirmed that the fund will reach schools’ accounts before the end of this term.
At the higher education level, the Government has allocated KSh6.794 billion to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) while KSh3.98 billion has been disbursed for scholarships through the University Fund (UF).
According the statement, the Government has released a total of KSh32 billion and KSh12 billion towards loans and scholarship respectively since the start of this 2023/2024 Financial Year.
In January 2024, the Government released KSh14.4 billion to cover scholarships and loans for Government-sponsored First Year students in Universities under the New Higher Education Funding model.
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The loans also covered for Semester Two of the 2023/2024 Academic Year for continuing students.
The Ministry further stated that in October 2023, the State disbursed KSh5.3 billion for student loans and further KSh3.9 billion for scholarships for First Year students under the New Funding Model.
Some KSh10.3 billion was also released to HELB in September 2023 to cater for continuing students’ loans in Universities and TVET colleges.
Also, the Universities Fund under the New Higher Education Funding Model shall be disbursed directly to the individual universities for successful candidates to cover their tuition fees.
“HELB to disburse tuition loans directly to respective universities/colleges and upkeep loan to the respective student bank accounts or mobile phone numbers,” read part of the statement.
The Ministry also added that the Universities will also receive the scholarship portions for their respective students.
The Ministry said they have used a reliable scientific method, Mean Testing Instrument (MTI) to determine the student’s level of financial need to categorize the students accordingly to ensure they are supported adequately.
MoE has also clarifies that the New Higher Education Funding Model applies to students who sat for KCSE from the year 2022 onwards.
Those who sat for KCSE in 2023 forms the second cohort of students to be funded under the new funding model when they join universities and colleges later this year.
The Ministry applauded the Government for it unwavering support in promoting access to University education and providing financial making sure no student is left behind.
By Brian Ndigo
By our reporter
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