The government has insisted that the Means Testing Instrument (MTI) which is used in assessing students’ financial ability is accurate.
The MTI is a tool used to determine which band to place the students in the new funding model for higher education.
Responding to various queries raised during a recent speaker’s meeting with the Ministry of Education’s State Department for Higher Education and Research on the challenges facing the new funding model, Principal Secretary (PS) Beatrice Inyangala noted that the instrument has undergone rigorous reviews and validation to ensure accurate categorization based on socio-economic status.
“The MTI evaluates whether an individual or family qualifies for government assistance based on their financial capability and the available budget. Its core purpose is to ensure the equitable distribution of limited resources. In the context of higher education financing, the MTI assesses applicants’ financial needs and guides the categorization and banding of financial support,” the said in a statement.
The ministry further clarified that the instrument is designed to be reliable, valid, objective, and comprehensive, with no ambiguity and appropriate timing being key to its effectiveness, and that it has ensured equitable access to higher education by directly supporting students based on their financial needs, moving away from the previous block funding approach.
According to MoE, the individualized, needs-based mechanism is designed to address disparities and improve access for all eligible students, as it highlights the key elements under the instrument which ensures equitable access that are considered.
They include Comprehensive Assessment where the instrument evaluates each student’s financial need using various socio-economic indicators, such as household income, geographic location, poverty probability index, special circumstances for instance orphans and disabilities, and number of dependents in ensuring aid is distributed based on financial status.
Scientific Weighting indicators are scientifically weighted to ensure a fair and unbiased determination of need, promoting equity in fund allocation.
The ministry further states that the MTI also considers direct support for students through targeted financial aid where financial assistance is provided directly to students, ensuring that funds are used to meet their specific needs.
Under this, the model includes variable scholarships and loans, with more aid allocated to the most financially needy students and a higher loan component for those with lesser need.
Another element of the instrument is Special Consideration for Vulnerable Group, where support for students with disabilities and orphans is considered with absolute scores being given to these groups in ensuring they receive the necessary financial support without undue burdens; and also through affirmative action where marginalized and vulnerable groups are aligned with government priorities, such as promoting agriculture.
Level of Need also forms part of the key elements. Here, the categorization into five socio-economic tiers is based on the extent of a student’s need for financial assistance to cover higher education costs and which is determined by composite indicators including family structure and size, education and health expenditures, and affirmative action. Household income, representing total earnings from various sources, is the primary factor, with tiers ranging from low-income which is below Ksh5,995 per month to high-income which is above Ksh120,000 per month.
Through these considerations, the socio-economic tiers are formulated into five bands based on assessed household income with Band 1 consisting of extremely needy and vulnerable individuals who depend on government interventions, Band 2 involving low-income individuals requiring substantial government support, Band 3 comprising of needy individuals with modest incomes, who need significant government support.
Band 4 includes middle-income earners who may require some government support, and Band 5 comprises of high-income earners with a potential need for modest government support based on family burden.
By Roy Hezron
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