First Gov’t-sponsored students in private university graduate from MKU

The first batch of students who were placed by the government in private universities through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) in 2016 have graduated from Mount Kenya University.

The 350 students most of whom were under the Education programme, graduated during the university’s 17th graduation ceremony which was graced  by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha.

The group joined MKU following a presidential directive that sought to absorb the high number of KCSE candidates who qualified for university admission but could not be enrolled due to the limited number of slots available in public universities.

Prof. Magoha underscored the need for continued cooperation between the private sector and the government in education, in order to give more students a chance to access higher education, and at an affordable cost .

The MKU students were able to graduate on time following the university’s adoption of trimester system whereby a student is able to cover three semesters in a year, rather than the traditional 2 semesters in a year.

This year, Mount Kenya University received  the lions share of 2,883 state-sponsored students.

Kabarak University admitted 2,252 students, KCA took in 1,824, Catholic University of Eastern Africa admitted 1,269 while Kenya Methodist University and Zetech admitted 1,092 and 1,085.

The government has been spending approximately Ksh.1.24 billion each year to provide capitation to sustain the students until completion of their programmes.

The government provides a flat rate of Ksh.70 ,000 annually to the learners as captitation on the courses they pursue.