University students face funding uncertainty in Antigua and Kenya

Higher education institutions in Antigua and Barbuda and Kenya are facing significant funding challenges as governments transition their financing models.

At The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, students and families have expressed frustration over perceived broken promises regarding free tuition. While the government previously suggested education would be free, recent fee disclosures revealed that the arrangement may only apply to students registering for the 2026/27 academic year, leaving continuing students to face unexpected financial burdens.

In Kenya, a shift in the higher education financing model has created uncertainty for thousands of students. The government intends to replace the current student-centered model with a system where public university and TVET students receive loans repayable after graduation. Although President William Ruto announced a move toward 100 per cent universal government funding, the scarcity of public funds has left many families unable to meet immediate costs while awaiting new guidelines.