Private universities have criticized the government’s new higher education funding model.
They say the model is a threat to their existence given that the number of students applying for the courses is dwindling.
Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) Vice Chancellor Rev Prof Stephen Mbugua yesterday said if the model is sustained, some of the private universities in the country risk shutting down.
Private universities in the current arrangement got only about 10,000 students in total in the just concluded placement exercise against the usual 30,000.
The private universities have appealed to the government over the model.
Prof Mbugua said on behalf of the institutions, he has sent a letter to Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu and other government organs, to reconsider the decision because it is against the bottom up philosophy and students should be supported to go to their universities of choice.
“The impact is negative, it is against the bottom up arrangement because the poor students must be accorded assistance at all levels.
The new university funding model was recommended by the working party and reiterated by President Ruto when we met at State House with other stakeholders, but the implementation has become skewed and excluded a sector that was included in the working party,” said Prof Mbugua
Private universities started admitting government-sponsored students (GSS) in 2016 in a move by the State to address congestion in public institutions.
The government has stopped placing government sponsored students in private universities saying public universities have the capacity to host all students who qualifies to join university this year.
Mbugua, who is also the Private Universities Association chairman, insisted that all taxpayers’ should get equal opportunities to access public resources.
“Private universities have been negatively impacted, some getting about 10 students and others less than 100 and this is going to even kill the human resource in those particular universities,” he regretted.
If the model continues in the same way, he said private universities will face serious financial constraints which will lead to reduction of human resource capital.
We promise our parents that we will give quality education, right values and guidance for a holistic education that is innovative,” assured Mbugua.
He also explained that withdrawal of funding by the Government and excluding private universities is geared towards forcing the children to select public universities only.
By Our Reporter
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