KUCCPS CEO Highlights Funding Gap as C+ and Above Students Increase
Dr Agnes Wahome, the CEO of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), has highlighted the increasing number of students achieving C+ and above in the country’s education system.
However, she noted that the funding allocation for higher education institutions is not keeping up with the trend.
“The number of students achieving C+ or higher is increasing, but the funding allocation is not.” Said Wahome.
According to Dr Wahome, more students are meeting the requirements for admission into universities and other tertiary institutions, but the funds allocated to support these students are not sufficient. The CEO emphasized the need for more funding to be directed towards higher education to ensure that students have access to quality education and facilities.
Dr Wahome expressed concern that some universities were introducing small hidden costs that students were not aware of until they had already enrolled. She believes that full transparency about program costs would enable students to make better-informed decisions.
“Universities must disclose to the government the entire cost of a program in universities for publishing in order to educate students before making a decision; universities were becoming creative by introducing small costs.”
CEO of HELB, Charles Ringera, on the other hand, provided insight into the repayment process for loans given out by HELB. The organization gives loanees ten years to repay their loans after graduating, allowing them to settle into their careers and establish a stable source of income before starting to pay back the loan.
But with only 24% of the 90,000 first-year students who applied for loans being funded by HELB, many students are left without financial support and may struggle to pay for their education.
“We have only funded 24% of 90000 first-year students who applied for loans.” Charles Ringera said.
This lack of funding could also have an impact on the quality of education students receive, as institutions may not have the necessary resources to provide the best learning environment.