UNIVERSITY FUNDING IN DILEMMA

Many parents and human rights defenders have raised concern about it whereby student leaders from all Kenyan universities have given a warning to the government of Kenya that a big strike is in offing if changes will not be made early in advance.

Kenyans rightfully aspire to quality and accessible education but the current funding system is faulty.

Despite raising critical concerns which are evident as countless students  struggle to access education, bureaucratic red tape has delayed the case hearing within a mention set in November  last year more than two years after a petition was filed for a matter so crucial to the integrity of Kenyan education and system.

Kenyans should know that our education sector took a tragic turn the moment the government introduced a new funding model and started forcing the students to individually apply for loans and scholarships with eligibility determined by the flawed means testing instruments.

The government is trying to categories the students based on their needs. This instrument lacks a scientific basis since my students are needy and yet they end up being in wrong bands something which has led to some students failing to get a chance to university.The problem is so direct that the government has recognized that many students cannot access financial assistance and urged them to report to universities and colleges, promising that they will be able to attend classes. However, this is setting students up for failure.  

University requires the students to register units at the starting of every academic year but this might not happen meaning many students will be barred from attending classes. A big question which is in the minds of many is why the government is discriminating student? Why can't they use normal old funding model which seems to be somehow good but full of delays? However, on December 20 2024 the court declared the funding model unconstitutional. This ruling has left many students wondering as they wait for solution to the funding crisis. Many students say that they were not given any clear guidance which was unfortunate during the time of applications a situation which made them to be placed in wrong bands which could not cater for their school fee needs. The High Court decision has thrown the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the University Fund back to the drawing board as they scramble to figure out next course of action. With the legal challenges unresolved, there are no guarantees that students will receive the financial support they need in time for the new semester.

Student leaders from different universities in the country have given a warning to the government that failure to wipe away the new funding model they will mobilise the students to strike all over the country until the government will respond to their demands with the immediate effect. On top of that the lecturers have issued a warning that they are going for strike in fourteen days time, something which will affect the education in the country.The government is really lacking the procedure to implement their policies.The government seems to have  failed its citizens in implementing their agendas since corruption since is rampant in the country. Misuse of public funds by the government officials is not an issue to be addressed tomorrow.