Education stakeholders and parents in Kakamega County have urged the national government, through the Ministry of Education’s higher education department, to address the challenges posed by the new university funding model. They insist that the model should be revised to support students who sat for the KCSE exams last year, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.
Concerns Over the Funding Model
Speaking at Fesbeth Handidi School in Shinyalu Constituency, the stakeholders voiced their frustrations following the suspension of the previous funding model by the courts. The suspended model categorized students into different funding brackets, a system many claim was unfair. The stakeholders are calling for the government to expedite the review process to ensure the revised model benefits all students.
Selina Manda, a parent, expressed her views:
“As the government strives to achieve Sustainable Development Goals for all citizens, I urge them to make higher education—whether technical or university—affordable and accessible to all parents.”
Concerns were also raised about perceived favoritism in the Ministry of Education’s policies, with claims that public school students are prioritized over their private school counterparts in university placements and course allocations. Parents are advocating for equity in opportunities to ensure that all qualifying students receive fair treatment.
“Our children have excelled academically, but they are denied equal opportunities simply because they come from private schools,” lamented another parent.
Celebrating Academic Success
Despite being a first-time KCSE examination center, Fesbeth Handidi School achieved outstanding results, ranking fourth in Shinyalu Constituency with an average score of 7.3. Out of twelve candidates, nine earned grades qualifying them for university admission.
Mariam Nimwema, the school’s top performer with a B+, thanked her teachers for their support:
“I was aiming for an A to pursue a doctorate program, but I am still grateful for my B+,” she said.
The school principal and staff attributed the success to students’ dedication and the strong partnership between teachers and parents.
Calls for Inclusivity
These achievements have inspired optimism among parents and educators, who now urge the government to ensure that every student qualifying for university is granted the opportunity to advance their education without discrimination or financial constraints.
