Financing of Higher Education in Kenya
JOSEPH KAMAU MUNGAI
Table of Contents
1. Introduction……………………………………………2-3
2. Theoretical models on higher education funding…....4-5
3. Sources of funding higher education…………………6
4. The government policy………………………………..7-8
5. Alternative funding programs……………………….9-10
6. Conclusion …………………………………………….11
7. References……………………………………………..12 1. Introduction The recent shocking revelation of many employees in the public service of Kenya with no post secondary academic qualifications is perhaps an awakening call for the government to evaluate its labour policies. More than the corruption connotation of these findings is a call for the government to make an intentional move to enhancing the labour productivity by expanding financing for higher education. Often the need for financing higher education is brought to our attention when we get news about a successful KCSE candidate raising calls for well wishers to sponsor them for their higher education. Sometimes the media will facilitate an outcry for sponsorship for a needy student but scarcely are noticed the many other cases. There is a concern that the future is bleak for the youthful talents as many broken dreams and careers are hampered due to lack of funding for higher education. This is a milestone to enhancing and expanding economic in Kenya. Researchers and policy makers have delved into the questions of the ideology of the government spending on higher education. The number of student sponsored by the Government through the Joint Admissions Board is limited. As reported for year 2011, the universities would admit 32, 611 students who sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 2009 and 2010, out of 96,000 who qualified. This was upon a decision by the universities’ Joint Admissions Board (JAB) to have a double intake of new undergraduate students. As Professor Mugenda noted, "If we have to avoid the tsunami of 2015, universities must be able to expand their infrastructure to accommodate
Table of Contents
1. Introduction……………………………………………2-3
2. Theoretical models on higher education funding…....4-5
3. Sources of funding higher education…………………6
4. The government policy………………………………..7-8
5. Alternative funding programs……………………….9-10
6. Conclusion …………………………………………….11
7. References……………………………………………..12 1. Introduction The recent shocking revelation of many employees in the public service of Kenya with no post secondary academic qualifications is perhaps an awakening call for the government to evaluate its labour policies. More than the corruption connotation of these findings is a call for the government to make an intentional move to enhancing the labour productivity by expanding financing for higher education. Often the need for financing higher education is brought to our attention when we get news about a successful KCSE candidate raising calls for well wishers to sponsor them for their higher education. Sometimes the media will facilitate an outcry for sponsorship for a needy student but scarcely are noticed the many other cases. There is a concern that the future is bleak for the youthful talents as many broken dreams and careers are hampered due to lack of funding for higher education. This is a milestone to enhancing and expanding economic in Kenya. Researchers and policy makers have delved into the questions of the ideology of the government spending on higher education. The number of student sponsored by the Government through the Joint Admissions Board is limited. As reported for year 2011, the universities would admit 32, 611 students who sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 2009 and 2010, out of 96,000 who qualified. This was upon a decision by the universities’ Joint Admissions Board (JAB) to have a double intake of new undergraduate students. As Professor Mugenda noted, "If we have to avoid the tsunami of 2015, universities must be able to expand their infrastructure to accommodate
References: Anami, L. (2011 July 8) Joint Admissions Board (JAB) to have a double intake of new undergraduate students. The Standard. Bray M Fagerlan, L. & Esaha L.J.(1989. Education & national development; A comparative perspective (2nd edition). Pergamom Press, Great Britain. Haddad, W.D., Demsky (1987). Planning & mobilization of financial resources for education in the Middle East: Washington World Bank. Paulsen M.B., Smart J.C (2001). The finance of higher education; Theory, research, policy & practice; Agathon Press. USA Rao, D.B Sharma, S.R. (1997). Funding & financial management of world higher education.