Varsity students welcome same tuition fees structure in region

Kenya has become the second country in the Northern Corridor to implement the harmonization of tuition fees in all public universities after Rwanda and it takes effect this month according to the Kenya Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang. All matters related to tuition were harmonized December, 31st and takes immediate effect. All students from Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan will be accorded the same treatment as Kenyans. Among others, international students will see their library, computer, and research development and accommodation fees reduced. “Once fees are duly harmonized, students will receive the same treatment when paying tuition. These efforts are aimed at encouraging free movement of students within the region so that they can study in universities of their choice. We want to remove barriers that hinder development of education in the region. We want students to use identification their cards to come and study,” said Dr Kipsang. The move will also allow foreign students to pay in local currencies. However, this does not affect private universities because they are not regulated by the government. Harmonisation of tuition in public universities in Rwanda took effect in 2013 with the inception of University of Rwanda. “Rwanda was the first country to implement this project in 2012 under the former National University of Rwanda (NUR). When the formation of University of Rwanda (UR) was done, we continued with the project. UR is party to the agreement as stated by the Inter-University Council that put it in place in partnership with universities,” said Prof. Manasseh Mbonye, former NUR Rector and now Principal of College of Science & Technology. However, he added that other countries might not have taken the necessary steps to implement this policy but applauded Rwandan institutions and the government for spearheading such a move that is beneficial to students in the region. In August last year, the Ugandan government ordered all six public universities to harmonise tuition for Ugandans and students from East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi but the move is yet to be implemented. The delay was of major concern and it was addressed at the 8th Northern Corridor Integration Projects Summit on 11th December 2014, in Nairobi, Kenya. The Presidents of Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan’s Vice President requested Ministers of Education of the respective countries to identify the challenges hindering the implementation and address them. “The Summit directed Ministers of Education to develop mechanisms to address concerns for good that impede the implementation of uniform tuition fees in Institutions of Higher Learning,” read part of the press release from the summit. News of harmonizing tuition fees in Kenya has exited Rwandans studying in Kenyan public universities saying the move was timely and will ease the burden of forking out a lot of money. Michael Mazimpaka, who is pursuing a law degree at Moi University, said it was difficult to pay his tuition because it was too high. “My mum works with a non-governmental organisation but the tuition she pays for me is almost double that of Kenyans. This is the question that we’ve been asking to the Director of International Students office, asking why they are not harmonizing tuition yet it is a directive by the Heads of State,” says Mazimpaka. However, he has doubts that it will be implemented soon because there’s a lot of bureaucracy and negotiations by University officials and the government. Ornella Rutikanga, a second year student at Moi University, School of School of Biological and Physics Sciences specializing in Computer says the move was timely. “Imagine my tuition alone is above $2,000 per semester before including meals, accommodation and library books which comes to $1700. So, add upkeep to the amount and transport, it becomes a mess. So, am glad the Kenyan government has decided to return the favour since we having been doing it for Kenyans studying in our public universities,” she said. The agreement putting in place this process is part of an economic partnership that has also produced a standard gauge railway, a refinery, a pipeline and energy projects. It also seeks to put to use the role of Skills Audit across all the infrastructure projects in regards to human resources capacity building. editorial@newtimes.co.rw