In a significant policy shift, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos has instructed all public university vice chancellors to admit students unconditionally, regardless of their immediate ability to pay required household contributions. This directive comes after widespread criticism of the new funding model, which led to many students and parents complaining about being turned away due to unpaid fees.

In a letter issued today, Migos emphasized that any student who qualifies for university admission must be granted a place, even if they cannot pay the household contribution upfront. “The Ministry of Education wishes to inform all students who have qualified for university admission that they are guaranteed a place in their chosen institutions, Vice-Chancellors of public universities have therefore been directed to admit all qualified students without exception” the letter from the Ministry of Education states.

The directive also includes provisions for accommodation. The Ministry has mandated that vice chancellors facilitate suitable housing arrangements for first-year students, with the understanding that fees will be settled once funds are disbursed. The Ministry is collaborating with the National Treasury to accelerate the release of these funds.

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In response to the uproar, Education PS Beatrice Inyangala had earlier appeared before the National Assembly, where she clarified that no student should be expelled for failing to pay fees. She noted that the issue stemmed from the classification system used to determine student bands, which often placed students from national schools into higher, more expensive bands despite their lower household incomes. “According to data from the National Examination Council, 84.8% of students who scored C+ and above attended national schools,” Inyangala said. “These schools had high fees, which contributed to the problem.”

The Ministry has also extended the application deadline to December 31, 2024, allowing students to address any issues with their band classification through the online portal.

This move aims to alleviate concerns and ensure that all students who qualify for university education have the opportunity to enroll, regardless of their financial situation.