Private varsities to take in State-funded learners

The Government has directed that an additional 10,000 State-sponsored students be admitted to private universities.

The State has also lowered the entry cut-off mark by two points.

This means that for the first time, the number of Government-funded students enrolled in both public and private universities will rise to an all-time high of 84,388.

Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has already placed 74,388 students to pursue various courses across the 31 public universities.

There are 17 chartered private universities and five private university constituent colleges.

President Uhuru Kenyatta directed KUCCPS to place the students during a State House meeting yesterday, with vice chancellors and council chairpersons of both public and private varsities.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi, yesterday when he met vice chancellors and chairmen of university councils of both public and private universities, President Kenyatta said the move will provide a chance for more students to pursue courses of their choice.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i said his ministry will in the next intake increase the number to 20,000 students.

This is in line with the law, which requires taxpayer-funded students who miss placement at public universities to be sponsored to join private institutions, the Cabinet secretary explained.

This means of the 74,388 students picked to join public universities – and wish to change their programmes – have another chance to apply for courses of their choice in private universities.

The application is also open to candidates who had been locked out of university admission based on the fixed cut-off points.

Sources at the meeting yesterday said the cut-off point for male students has been lowered from 60 to 58 while that for female students now stands at 56, from 58.

"This means that male candidates who had 58 and 59 points and female candidates who had 56 and 57 points can now apply and will be considered," said a government official privy to the talks.

The Government will fund the students on a similar rate as those in public universities – Sh70,000 per student.

Findings of a task force constituted by Matiang'i estimated some Sh700 million will be required to finance the students.

Students will be required to top up the current rate of Sh16,000 per academic year.

The development is a major score for private universities, which have sought Government funding since 2013 when the Universities Act 2012 came to force.

The National Association of Private Universities in Kenya Secretary General Vincent Gaitho yesterday said they back the initiative.

KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer John Muraguri yesterday declined to comment on the State House meeting. But sources said the agency was given four weeks to complete placement.