The number of those studying in US came down to 5,877 last year from 7,862 seven years ago. Photo/LIZ MUTHONI
The economic slump in the Western World and tough immigration rules are slowing down Kenyans’ demand for higher education overseas, giving local and regional universities an opportunity for increased enrolment.
Data from embassies shows that the number of students heading overseas has been falling by an average of 20 per cent annually over the past five years as Kenyan parents and students opt for local and regional institutions, seen as less expensive.
The number of those studying in US came down to 5,877 last year from 7,862 seven years ago, on the back of an economic slow-down and strict immigration regulations.
And the British High Commission in Nairobi said visas issued to Kenyan students had declined by 20 per cent — from 969 to 770— between 2008 and 2009.
Higher Education Permanent Secretary Crispus Kiamba said the situation was the same for key destinations such as India and Australia, a situation he said posed a great challenge for local universities to meet increasing demand, as qualified students fight for space.
“This is a tricky situation. Locally, universities are overwhelmed by the demand and that means we have to expand the infrastructure in our institutions, ” said Prof Kiamba.
“As long as the harsh economic conditions in those countries remain the same, we must raise Kenya’s higher education status to meet the growing demand, ” he said.
At least 50,000 of students who score the minimum entry level score of C+ in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KSCE) miss out on public university spaces annually, leaving them to scramble for space in private institutions. At least half of them end up in tertiary colleges.
Purchasing power
At home, Kenyan homes are grappling with a reduced purchasing power, pressed hard by the high cost of living that has seen the prices of basic commodities such as food and fuel go up.
Household incomes have for example lagged far behind the rate of inflation and the cost of living which rose to 11.9 per cent in 2005 to 29.3 per cent late last year, eroding much of the purchasing power and leaving parents and post graduate students with less to spend on education.
Globally, economies have been on a decline, making countries less generous on education bursaries and aid and leaving schools on a financial squeeze that has blocked a key source of fees for immigrant students.
The tough economic times abroad brought about by recession has claimed millions of professional jobs, while menial jobs have also dwindled, leaving thousands of immigrant students jobless.
US employment fell for a third straight month in August, according to recent statistics from the Labour Department with the economy shedding at least 131000 jobs in the month.
The situation, coupled with the ever increasing cost of living has seen many students failing to qualify for study visas.
“The reality of living expenses and unavailability of job provisions for international students has sank home” said Ms Sennane Riungu, the Education Advisor at American Education Advising Centre (AEAC).
“It has become open that studying in the USA is expensive and a lot of the scholarships that were available are not as many today,” she added.
Educationists said the decline in the number of students going abroad is also informed by the expansion of the local higher education sector, which is offering new opportunities for scholars who would have preferred an overseas education.
“Local universities have improved in terms of infrastructure, use of technology, teaching and research and they are becoming competitive such that a student is now able to get world class education here instead of going abroad,” said Prof Olive Mugenda, the Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University.
The number of public and private universities has for example increased from 24 to 31 between 2005 and last year.
An additional 13 constituent colleges have also been set up, hosted by the seven public universities.
A majority of States in the US have also tightened immigration rules with threats of fines and other penalties being issued against US businesses which hire unauthorised workers.
This has effectively made it hard for foreign students to get jobs off campus, denying them much-needed income.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) has made it easier to track international students and their activities, discouraging visitors who would be issued with student visas and then choose menial jobs over going to school.
States such as Arizona have for example passed some of the toughest immigration laws, allowing police to ask anyone’s immigration status at random and detaining those found without proper documentation, creating a hostile atmosphere for all immigrants.
“There seems to be an anti-illegal immigration wave that is spilling over and creating a tough environment even for those who are legally in here” said a Kenyan student in Oklahoma who requested anonymity.
International students in America are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week on campus or using optional practical training (OPT) or they can apply for work papers under hardship rules from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) but these are not easy to come by.
“Life is becoming tougher here if you do not have a green card. Some states are issuing a driver’s licences to international students up to the last day of your I-20 ” said the Oklahoma student. I-20 is an immigration form that allows immigrants to be in the US for study.
“You cannot drive without a valid driver’s licence because you will be arrested which means you cannot stay any longer after graduation” he added.
Popular destinations for Kenyan students include Kansas, Minnesota, Texas and Oklahoma because of their relatively lower cost of living compared to places such as California, New York and Massachusetts.
A student on a green card at the University of Kansas will pay between $5,753 (Sh443,000) and $83,53 (Sh643,000) in tuition fees, boarding and meals per semester while an international student will be required to remit between $10,900 (Sh839,000) and $13,500 (Sh1 million).
At the University of Oklahoma a green card holder will pay about $8,400 (Sh647,000) in tuition fees, boarding and books while an international student will be required pay approximately $13,600 (Sh1 million) per semester.
In UK the situation has not been any different.
A new point system for those seeking visas to that country was introduced this year in a bid to stop illegal immigration, a subject that has become a political hot potato.
Students now have to get a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), a virtual document that contains a CAS number generated by the Sponsor Management System that is run by the UK Border Agency.
The number can only be issued once by one university and one has to get a new one to transfer to another institution.
Good paying jobs
To get a CAS number, a prospective student must score at least 40 points, 10 of which are allocated for having enough money to cover the course fees and monthly living costs for up to one year.
And even though international students in UK are allowed to work off campus for a maximum of 20 hours a week, good paying jobs are not easily available.
The cost of living is also high with an international student at the University of Leeds required to pay between Sh1.6 million to Sh3.2 million for tuition and accommodation per year depending on the course of study and accommodation.
But the decline in the number of students going to the US and UK has created an opportunity for local universities that have expanded their locations, increased their facilities and use of technology in a bid to quench the thirst of education for a growing middle class population.
Source: Business Daily Africa
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