Cost Sharing in Higher Education in Kenya: Examining the Undesired Policy Outcomes

Abstract

Cost sharing in higher education is a policy that comes from the United States. The policy advocates that costs of higher education should be shared between the government, parents, students and/or donor organizations. Proponents of the policy (such as the World Bank) have over the years been advocating for its implementation in African countries. This is because the governments cannot afford to fully finance the increasing numbers of students pursuing higher education. This research study uses qualitative methods to reveal that this ‘one size fits all approach’ is particularly problematic within African societies for various reasons. The study furnishes recommendations, which are useful when implementing cost sharing in countries that are very different from the United States, in terms of the economy and family structure.