HELB seeks public opinion over students' new appeals platform

This is in line with the Court of Appeal's decision on March 26, 2025, that suspended the High Court's order on halting the new funding model. 

This paved the way for the government to resume the Variable Scholarship Loan Funding Model, which categorizes students based on their financial needs. 

The court also directed HELB and UF to establish and publicize an appeals mechanism within 14 days from the date of delivery of judgment. 

Following the orders, the two institutions developed the Scholarship and Loan Appeals Mechanism platform for students to file their grievances. 

The mechanism will, however, be subjected to a public participation exercise for all stakeholders to submit their views on the platform's effectiveness. 

The exercise is slated to run from Tuesday, April 1, to Friday, April 4, at 5:00 pm. 

"UF and HELB will host physical public engagement meetings at select universities and polytechnics nationwide on April 4, 2025. The full schedule of these meetings is available in the public notice accompanying this statement," the notice read in part.  

In the High Court ruling, Justice Chacha Mwita ruled that the funding model had not made public a platform for students to make appeals. 

Further, the High Court's order was attributed to a lack of public participation. 

"There is no denial in this petition that implementation of the recommendation on the new funding model was not subjected to public participation despite the drastic and fundamental shift introduced in the funding of higher education in the country," Justice Mwita previously ruled. 

Critics faulted the new funding model, citing that it violated the Universities Act by categorising students based on financial ability, school type and age. 

HELB and UF, however, challenged the decision and argued that the High Court ruling prevented the disbursing of funds and, hence, jeopardised the opportunity for students to learn.