Private universities have praised the government's new funding plan for higher education institutions, which would limit scholarships to students who attend public colleges.
The Kenya Association of Private Universities claimed in a notice published in local dailies on Thursday that they were participating in negotiations around establishing the new model and that all students would be put in private and public universities based on their individual preferences.
The private universities stated that the courses offered at both their institutions and public universities would be available for selection by all students at the Kenya Universities and Colleges.
This is owing to the government's decision to decouple KUCCPS's student placement from funding under the new model.
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Students attending private institutions will no longer be eligible for government subsidies as they are at public universities.
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) will provide the loans.
"Private colleges are going to keep working with every stakeholder to ensure that all Kenyan pupils receive equitable chances for excellent schooling, study, creativity, entrepreneurship, and job prospects opportunities for the benefit of their parents, communities, and posterity in Kenya," said Stephen Ngari, chair of the association.
Ezekiel Machogu, Education Cabinet Secretary, launched the KUCCPS webpage on Wednesday.
Candidates for the 2022 KCSE with a minimum admission mark of C+ will be admitted to degree programs, while those with a C grade or lower will be admitted to Technical and Vocational Education Training Institutions (TVET).
Students in public institutions who are chosen will be given a choice to apply for government scholarships using a "fool-proof tool" that will assess them before they are awarded scholarships.
Students will be classified into three degrees of need under the funding model: vulnerable, less vulnerable, and able.
Students from lower-income families will earn up to 53% scholarships and up to 40% loans.
At the same time, capable students will be subsidized up to 38% of the program's cost, with loans covering the remaining 55%.
Those who enrol in TVETs will be sponsored by 32% for government scholarships and 48% for government loans.
The application period will end in August, and students will report to their respective colleges in September.
