The University students across various institutions in Kenya have vowed to continue with their planned demonstrations uninterrupted despite calls by the government to halt protests to create room for the new funding model review.
The government, through the ministry of education, had stated earlier that they’re ready to integrate students and various experts in the decision-making process amid headwinds surrounding the new higher learning education funding model.
On the other hand, the government spokesperson implored students to call off the planned demonstrations, pending review of the said funding model, which has been a bone of contention over calims that it’s not inclusive as students have been faced with myriads of challenges and fears of future indebtedness.
The government and some vice chancelllors claim that lack of understanding drives many into confusion and believing that the new funding model is not suitable for Kenya’s varsity education financing. Students and parents have maintained that the goverbent needs to scrap it off in exchange for the older model.
What has been the boiling point, swirling its rejection, is the fact that banding hasn’t been correctly done as expected. The government has maintained that banding was done in line with the economic backgrounds; those not comfortable in their bands should apply for an appeal for rebanding.
A section of lawmakers has posited that education, starting from the elementary levels to the university level, should be free since the government has the needed resources to fund the entire education system. Kissii Senator Onyonka, while on a panel surrounding the new funding model, stated the government is capable of funding free education for all in the country.
Cabinet Secretary for Education, Julius Ogamba, today formed two working committees to review the execution of the new funding and model. It has since attracted criticism from various Kenyans, including some lawmakers.
Kakamega Senator, Dr. Boni Khalwale, urged the CS to stop wasting time and money on forming the committees and should instead scrap the bursary and make education free for all.
“Minister, simple. Avoid waste of time and resources on committees. Just remove bursaries from political offices and make education free from primary school to university,” Khalwale wrote on his X handle.
Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino said the CS needs to disband the new funding model. He even urged the students to continue with the planned demonstrations.
“These are delaying tactics. Demonstrations should go on as planned. We do not need another committee to review the new funding model. We want the old funding back. With the same energy the CS used to write this letter, he should write another one disbanding the bands. Comrades, this will only be won in the streets. A fly that doesn’t listen to advice is normally burried together with a corpse,” Babu Owino.
