The government has saved Sh2.2 Billion after deregistering over 12,000 university students that have failed to complete their studies within the stipulated time.
The government through the University Funding Board (UFB) has divulged that students affected by the cleanup will have to cater for their education if the universities opt to readmit them.
According to UFB, it approximately pays 80% of tuition fees for government-sponsored students in public universities.
The agency further noted many students drop out but continue seeking funding from the government, thus increasing expenditure and derailing services of the board.
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University Students at a lecture hall. [Photo: Courtesy]
“In this financial year we stopped catering for 12,354 university students on establishing they had overstayed at the institutions and this has saved Sh2.2 billion,” Geoffrey Monari, the chief executive officer of the UFB, said.
In Kenya, a normal undergraduate course takes four years with some like engineering and medicine taking 5 and 6 years respectively.
However, due to cases like pregnancy where some students defer, poor results, and suspension due to students’ unrest, some students tend to take more than the stipulated time to complete the course and graduate.
The UFB has made it clear that it will no longer finance the education expenses of such students.
Meanwhile, the University of Nairobi recently began a crackdown on students who have overstayed in the institution.
The move is meant to encourage students especially those undertaking their postgraduate degrees to fast-track the process and graduate within the set timelines.
