President William Ruto has sought to put the raging debate on the cost of higher education in the country to an end stating that the government has no immediate plan to increase fees in public universities.
Dr Ruto also stated that the government does not plan to privatise public universities as had been claimed by some stakeholders in the education sector in the past few days
Dr Ruto said the government did not plan to privatise public universities, but instead was committed to support public universities and provide funding through capitation and funding to students through the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) which is undergoing reforms.
Instead, the recommendations from the Presidential Party on Education Reforms which has not been unveiled will guide the process on the matter of fees and capitation for the students.
The team chaired by Professor Raphael Munavu is expected to present the final recommendations on reforms in the country’s education system and curriculum to the President at the end of this month.
Universities were expected to increase fees from Sh16,000 to Sh48,000 in the ongoing education reforms according to recommendations from Vice Chancellors from 35 public universities, with the issue eliciting a lot of backlash from various stakeholders with students threatening demonstrations countrywide.
