Kwale teens medical school dreams threatened by unaffordable university fees

Suheil Mkalla Mumba, a 19-year-old from Waa Location in Kwale County, was overjoyed when he received an acceptance letter from Egerton University to study medicine.

However, his joy was short-lived when he realised the financial repercussions of his acceptance.

The annual price structure at Egerton University demands Sh 490,000, which is much beyond Suheil's family's finances, as they struggle to make ends meet.

He was overjoyed when the new funding mechanism was created to help low-income students.

In response to the financial burden that many students suffer, the Ministry of Education has implemented a new funding scheme that supports students based on their family income.

The concept categorises students seeking assistance into four groups: vulnerable, extremely needy, needy, and less needy.

This concept uses the Means Testing Instrument (MTI) to measure financial need and divides pupils into five bands:

- Band 1: Monthly income of up to Sh 5,995.

- Band 2: Monthly earnings up to Sh 23,670.

- Band 3: Monthly income of up to Sh70,000

- Band 4: Monthly income up to Sh 120,000 - Band 5: Monthly income more than Sh 120,000

Suheil was dismayed to be put in Band 5, implying that his family earns more than Sh 120,000 per month.

This classification severely limits the amount of financial aid he is eligible for, covering only 60% of the costs through a combination of a 30% scholarship and a 30% loan.

The remaining 40%, which amounts to Sh 196,000, must be paid by his family.

"My goal was to lift my family out of poverty, but now I'm not sure how I'll do it," Suheil explained, his voice tinted with irritation and sorrow.

Suheil has considered drastic methods due to the university's cost structure and the minimal financial support available.

"My goal is to remove my family from poverty. "I don't see the point in living if I can't achieve that," he admitted.

Suheil, who received an A- on his KCSE examinations at Kwale High School, finds himself in a difficult predicament. His family's home, a semi-permanent building with evident gaps and limited resources, contrasts sharply with the Band 5 designation.

His father, Rashid Mumba, a casual labourer, is also bewildered and disturbed.

"I don't understand how the administration came to this classification. "We filled out all of the forms correctly," he stated. Rashid and Suheil are now attempting to appeal the placement decision in order to decrease their financial load.

Suheil is still apprehensive and uncertain about his future as the new semester begins at university.

"I hope to appeal and have my school fees reduced so that I can pursue my dreams," he said, holding onto the notion that a resolution was still possible.