Proposed Bill: Funding for 35 Private Universities 2023
Proposed Bill: Funding for 35 Private Universities 2023. In the National Assembly last Wednesday, members from Khwisero and Christopher Aseka introduced the University (Amendments No. 3) Bill of 2023. The primary aim is to trim government funding for 35 private universities. The proposed legislation specifically seeks to bar KUCCPS from placing students in private institutions, emphasizing the need for prudent use of public funds.
Aseka passionately defended the bill, underscoring its core goal to safeguard public funds from potential misuse by private entities not governed by the Public Finance Management Act. Moreover, the proposed amendment directs the University Fund exclusively to public universities, effectively overturning a 2017 practice introduced during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.
A notable change in Aseka’s bill zeroes in on the University Act, particularly the role of KUCCPS in coordinating the placement of government-sponsored students. The amendment strategically adds the term “public” before universities, effectively preventing ex-chequer funds from flowing to private institutions.
It’s crucial to highlight that Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu’s directive in March 2023 restricts government loans and scholarships exclusively to students in public universities. However, the Khwisero legislator’s proposal takes it a step further by extending the denial of government loan eligibility to private students.
In March, Julius Melly, the head of the Education Committee, disclosed that the Ksh8 billion allocated to private universities had not undergone auditing. Melly suggested a shift in the funding model, asserting that individuals opting for private universities should rely on personal finances without objection. This underscores the need for a comprehensive reevaluation of the existing funding structure.