MPs reject Bill seeking to end state’s funding for private universities
This decision ensures that state support for private universities will continue, contributing to the sector's growth and benefiting the public at large.
The National Assembly’s Committee on Education has rejected a Bill that sought to stop the government from funding private universities, ensuring that the institutions will continue to receive taxpayers’ money.
The proposal was part of two Bills seeking amendments to the Universities Act, Cap 210, which were discussed by the committee.
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The committee, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, recommended that the House approve the Bills with amendments, allowing for continued state funding for private universities.
Bumula MP Wambani Wamboka sponsored the Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aimed to provide a framework for exclusively placing government-sponsored students in public universities.
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The Bill also sought to remove private universities' representation on the board of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) in an attempt to safeguard the Universities Fund, in line with public finance principles.
"The implication is to remove the two vice-chancellors representing private membership on the board of KUCCPS," Melly explained in the committee's report.
Despite these concerns, the committee noted that KUCCPS does more than just place students in universities.
Comprehensive database
It also serves as a comprehensive database for university and college placements, disseminates information on available programmes, and advises the government on student placements. Removing private universities from the board would disadvantage them, the committee pointed out.
As a result, the committee recommended the deletion of key clauses in Wamboka's Bill and approval of the revised version, ensuring that the private universities remain included in the KUCCPS framework.
On the other hand, Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka proposed a Bill to amend the Universities Act No. 42, aiming to abolish public funding for private universities and prevent KUCCPS from placing students in these institutions.
Aseka's Bill also sought to safeguard public funds from being misused by private entities which are not under the government's regulatory framework.
However, the committee rejected this proposal, with MP Melly noting that government grants to private universities support research and development initiatives that benefit the public.
"Consequently, these grants should be maintained to continue fostering advancement that serves the public good," he stated.
As a result, the committee has proposed that Clause 2 and Clause 3 of Aseka's Bill, which sought to cut funding and halt student placements in private universities, be deleted.
This decision ensures that state support for private universities will continue, contributing to the sector's growth and benefiting the public at large.
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