By James Wakahiu
2023
hosted a breakfast forum on scholarships and funding at a
Nairobi hotel.
non-governmental
players, discussed ways of enhancing partnerships that will
improve
access to higher education particularly to bright students
from
economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Photo/ ROM LEFT: Dr. Peter Kirira, MKU Deputy Vice Chancellor- Administration and Planning, Mr. Mutuma Nkanata, Executive Director – NGOs Coordination Board, MKU Foundation Executive Director John Koigi, Mr Geoffrey Monari, Chief Executive Officer- Universities Fund and Prof Peter Wanderi MKU’s Principal of Corporate Services pose for a photo after the conclusion of a breakfast Forum for NGOs hosted by MKU Foundation on November 29, 2023. MKU Foundation is keen on inking more partnerships to enhance access to education for economically disadvantaged students. By James Wakahiu
(HeLB),
National Government Constituency Development Fund Board,
Universities Fund, Equity Group Foundation, Plan
International, Hope
Worldwide, Islamic Relief-Kenya, Amara Charitable Trust,
Digna
Foundation, Elimisha Trust, Affecto Foundation, I &
M Bank Foundation,
Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Murang’a County
Government,
Teach For Kenya, Akothee Foundation, Compassion
International, Equip
Africa Institute and Openda Foundation.
The Forum came on the backdrop of the recent roll-out of the
new
Variable Scholarship and Loan Funding model for
university students,
which has brought changes in how university students pay
their fees.
Previously, the government was funding university education
through a
Differentiated Unit Cost model- where its contribution to
public
universities was expected to be 80%.
But in light of
changing costs ofmounting academic programmes and economic circumstances,
noted
Geoffrey Monari, CEO Universities Fund who graced the Forum,
the
highest the government could afford was 66%.
In 2022, the
government could only raise 44%. It was therefore prudent to introduce
a new model
that uses a Means Testing instrument to ensure university
students
receive government funding based on their financial ability
to pay fees.
“The model we have now is student-centred,” said Mr Monari.
He added that the foundations among the MKU are doing a good job in
supplementing the government efforts of ensuring no child is
left
behind.”
.jpg)
Photo/ Members from Foundations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs’) who attended Mount Kenya University Foundation organized roundtable discussion on scholarships and funding opportunities pose for a group photo. By James Wakahiu
The breakfast Forum, which was co-organized by the NGOs co-
ordination Board, also discussed the possibility of
establishing an
Association of grant makers and benefactors in Education who
will be a
common, unified, an unequivocal voice in the area of
scholarships and
funding. This will bring together the government bodies
(such as HeLB,
Universities Fund and National Government CDF Board), NGOs
with
programmes in education, Kenya Private Sector Alliance,
Foundations,
Trusts and individual benefactors.
“We shall use the Association as a lobby for a possible
future inclusion
on the table of educational financing decision policy
makers,” said MKU
Foundation Executive Director John W. Koigi. “We shall also
meet
periodically to populate reports and measure the impact and
success of
our educational funding programmes.”
He added that the association will also explore the
possibility of
establishing a joint scholarship fund, which will be
administered by a
secretariat.
The Forum heard that the National Government through CDF had
awarded scholarships worth KSh57 billion in the last five
years. On its
part, HeLB had disbursed over KSh131 billion to 1.3 million
students.
Dr Vincent Gaitho, who chairs the KEPSA Education Sector
Board
challenged the two government bodies to set up a revolving
fund to
ensure the money is paid back by the beneficiaries “so that
it is made
available for the next generation.”
“Even if the money is interest-free, beneficiaries should be
made to pay
it back,” he added.
.jpeg)
Photo/ MKU Foundation Executive Director John Koigi (Second left) hands over a gift bag to Universities Fund CEO Geoffrey Monari as MKU Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Administration and Planning Dr Peter Kirira (extreme left) and Prof. Peter Wanderi, Principal, Corporate Services look on. By James Wakahiu
Equity Group Foundation’s Kevin Lubembe bemoaned the lack of
adequate information on available scholarships especially
for those who
have just written their KCSE exams. “We should double our
efforts in
dispensing information particularly to the bright students
in rural areas.
In addition, we should explore ways where we expose students
to
scholarships and funding beyond their first year of
education.”
MKU
student Milly Nafula KSh50,000 towards her upkeep. Nafula,
who is a
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) student
at MKU
School of Medicine was granted a full scholarship by MKU
Foundation in
2022.
She had stayed out of school for 14 years- despite scoring
an A- (minus)
grade in her Kenya Certificate of Secondary school
examination. When
her story was broadcast on Citizen TV prime time news, it
triggered
national conversation on unequitable access to quality
higher education.
Driven by despair, Milly was working at a poshomill, her
dream of
becoming a medical doctor dissipating with each passing day.
She had
lost her mother, the sole bread winner, and had been left to
fend for her
siblings.
MKU Foundation, through its patron Prof. Simon Gicharu
responded to
her cry and awarded her a full scholarship valued at KSh3.5
million. She
joined MKU Medical School at Thika Main Campus in September,
2022.
“I wish to thank Akothee for the donation and as I have
promised all my
other donors, I will not let you down,” said Milly. “I will
work hard and
ensure I attain my dream of being a medical doctor.”
with
programmes in education for the role they play in ensuring
children and
youth receive education. “The future of the country is
pegged on how
well educated our students all. I wish to thank you all for
the efforts you
put in place throughout your various programmes.
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