Private universities fault government over student funding

Kenya National Association of Private Universities secretary-general Vincent Gaitho at a past function. He has condemned a government plan to stop funding students in private institutions of higher learning. [File, Standard]

Private universities have faulted the government's proposal to stop funding students in their institutions.

The Kenya National Association of Private Universities secretary-general Vincent Gaitho expressed his displeasure with the proposal by President William Ruto that only students enrolled in public universities are eligible for state scholarships.

Dr Gaitho described the plan as discriminatory saying learners from poor backgrounds posted to private universities will be denied a chance to further their higher education.

Stakeholders have faulted the state over the move saying they are concerned learners in private universities and Technical and Vocation Training Colleges will not be considered in the new funding model.

Gaitho has poked holes in the funding model describing it as punitive for learners in private universities.

"If the model is not challenged, it will mean the end of the road for the students from poor families studying in the private universities where they were placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS)," said Gaitho.

The learners, he said, have been enjoying government scholarships and doing well in their studies and research.

"The president said that under the new model, every child will have equal opportunity. Equal opportunity should not discriminate but must be open to all students. It means all students should be given an opportunity to choose where they want to seek higher education," said Gaitho, who is also a pro-chancellor at Mt Kenya University.

Dr Mark Matunga, an educationist, said the funding needs to be student-based and student-centred to give private universities the opportunity to create scholarships.

"Our money should fund individual students, not a university. The challenge is for our universities to look for scholarships for their students," said Matunga.