Next week, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) will open its application portal for students seeking admission to universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions (TVETs). The announcement was made by KUCCPS CEO Agnes Mercy Wahome during a meeting with university registrars on Monday.
Universities are currently scrambling to provide data in accordance with the new funding model introduced by President William Ruto last week. Institutions have until Tuesday to submit information on the cost of their programs to KUCCPS, which will then publish the data to assist students in making informed decisions.
During the meeting, Dr. Wahome directed registrars to provide costs for all programs, regardless of whether students are self-sponsored or government-sponsored. She emphasized the need for transparency in program costs, as the distinction between government-sponsored and self-sponsored students often leads to confusion.
The new funding model, announced by Dr. Ruto, eliminates block funding for university students. Instead, each student will receive funding based on the cost of their chosen course, with the government determining the funding percentage. Dr. Wahome instructed registrars to provide the actual cost of the first year of each program for the 2022 applicants.
Previously, universities received funding through the Universities Funding using the differentiated unit cost (DUC) method, implemented in 2015. The DUC system provided a maximum cost for courses across all universities, but under the new model, costs will vary depending on the institution. Dr. Wahome noted that program costs for engineering and clinical medicine are likely to change over time due to associated internships.
In a letter sent to universities on Saturday, Dr. Wahome requested data on the cost per year for each program by Tuesday. She also clarified that while KUCCPS will publish all programs, government scholarships will only be available to students selecting degree programs at public universities. Students choosing programs at private universities and TVETs will not be eligible for government scholarships and can only apply for Helb loans.