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University fees for government-sponsored students could triple if recommendations by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) are fully implemented.
In its second interim report, the PWPER proposed raising of fees from the current from Ksh16,000 to ksh52,000 per semester.
The proposals handed to President William Ruto on February 16, further noted that there was a funding shortfall in universities urging the government to increase its funding.
Undated photo of students outside Kibabii University in Bungoma
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Kibabii University
According to the team, from the 2018/2019 academic year to the 2022/2023 academic year, the government failed to fund public universities with a total amount of Ksh164 billion while private universities recorded a shortfall of Ksh56.96 billion in funding.
Moreover, the task-force further appealed to the government to write off the huge debts owed by the universities to statutory bodies.
“The debts owed to statutory bodies is currently Ksh56.13 billion including deductions for pension, National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), National Social Security Fund (NSS) amongst others,” the report issued by the task force read in part.
Addressing the issues of university leadership, the task force advised that all 28 vacant university chancellor positions be filled to allow for the proper running of the institutions.
Additionally, the task force stated that the president ought to seek the input of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and the university’s Senate before appointing chancellors for different universities.
“To ensure an improvement in governance in universities, while still the appointing authority for the chancellors, the President should put into consideration the input of the relevant authorities,” stated the task force.
Moreover, the team, led by Prof Raphael Munavu, reiterated the importance of increasing the enrolment of students in Teachers’ Training Colleges noting that the intake stood at 3,922 students in 34 institutions that could accommodate up to 26,650 students.
It also stated the government ought to expand the space for Technical and Vocational Training by establishing such institutions across the country.
“The government should establish a National Polytechnic in every county, Technical Vocational College in every constituency and a Vocational Training Centre in each ward,” the task force added.
The Presidential Working Party report focused on the improvement of higher education in Kenya and the reforms needed to make it better and affordable.
The team previously made proposals to the implementation of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) and the transition of learners from Grade 6 to Junior Secondary Schools.
A file image of students pictured outside a local university
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