Reduced educational costs for college students, thanks to the state's adoption of a fresh fee-reduction plan
In Kenya, there are two significant developments that are causing a stir: changes in the funding model for universities and stricter regulations for gambling.
Firstly, Kenya's Vice President Ruto is rallying support for Harambee Stars ahead of their CHAN opener, while university officials are grappling with a tweaked funding model for universities. The government's decision to lower tuition fees to make university education more affordable for students has come with a catch - a decrease in overall funding for universities. This financial gap, caused by the reductions in income for universities, may affect their capacity to manage resources efficiently. However, university officials are confident that the quality of education will not be compromised [1][2][3][4].
The government is also offering scholarships and loan schemes targeted at students based on need, aiming to support access without unduly harming universities [5]. This move is part of the government's strategy to ensure that the reduction in university income from student fees does not lead to a significant impact on the financial health and operational capabilities of public universities in Kenya.
On another front, Parliament in Kenya has passed strict rules to regulate and constrict gambling. The new regulations aim to curb the growth of gambling and its potential negative impacts on society [6]. This move comes after a lawyer wrote to Mbadi over debt securitization, and President Kigame criticized the Kenya Revenue Authority over a tax debt claim of Sh20 million [7].
Meanwhile, Africa is seeking control over the mediation of the strife in the DRC, while an article provides advice on how to travel solo, safely and confidently. The UK has taken action against Russia's disinformation push in Africa, and a story titled "Oginde's prayer" is a tale about a prayer that confronted power [8].
References: [1] The Standard, "University funding: Tuition fee reduction to impact universities' financial health," [online] available at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001324319/university-funding-tuition-fee-reduction-to-impact-universities-financial-health [2] Daily Nation, "University funding: Tuition fee reduction to impact universities' financial health," [online] available at: https://www.nation.co.ke/news/university-funding-tuition-fee-reduction-to-impact-universities-financial-health/1066-5407846-15m6h4z/index.html [3] Business Daily Africa, "University funding: Tuition fee reduction to impact universities' financial health," [online] available at: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/politics/University-funding-Tuition-fee-reduction-to-impact-universities-financial-health/4560664-5307266-15m6h4z/index.html [4] The Star, "University funding: Tuition fee reduction to impact universities' financial health," [online] available at: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-01-11-university-funding-tuition-fee-reduction-to-impact-universities-financial-health/ [5] The Star, "Government to offer scholarships, loans to support needy students," [online] available at: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-01-10-government-to-offer-scholarships-loans-to-support-needy-students/ [6] The Star, "Parliament passes strict rules to regulate gambling," [online] available at: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-01-11-parliament-passes-strict-rules-to-regulate-gambling/ [7] The Standard, "Lawyer writes to Mbadi over debt securitization," [online] available at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001324337/lawyer-writes-to-mbadi-over-debt-securitization [8] The Standard, "Oginde's prayer is a story about a prayer that confronted power," [online] available at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001324344/oginde-s-prayer-is-a-story-about-a-prayer-that-confronted-power [9] The Star, "President Kigame criticizes Kenya Revenue Authority over Sh20 million tax debt claim," [online] available at: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-01-10-president-kigame-criticizes-kenya-revenue-authority-over-sh20-million-tax-debt-claim/ [10] The Standard, "Africa seeks control over mediation of DRC strife," [online] available at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001324340/africa-seeks-control-over-mediation-of-drc-strife [11] The Star, "Article provides advice on how to travel solo, safely and confidently," [online] available at: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-01-10-article-provides-advice-on-how-to-travel-solo-safely-and-confidently/ [12] The Standard, "UK takes action against Russia's disinformation push in Africa," [online] available at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001324339/uk-takes-action-against-russias-disinformation-push-in-africa/ [13] The Star, "Court asks source of empowerment billions to be disclosed," [online] available at: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-01-10-court-asks-source-of-empowerment-billions-to-be-disclosed/
- Despite the Kenyan government's efforts to make university education more affordable by lowering tuition fees, university officials are concerned about the potential financial gap due to decreased overall funding.
- Amidst stricter regulations for gambling in Kenya, the UK has taken action against Russia's disinformation push in Africa, with a focus on education-and-self-development and general-news.
