- The group accused the state of attempting to buy time, weaken the opposition, and avoid delivering meaningful education reforms.
- Previous regimes employed similar tactics by forming commissions of inquiry to calm public dissent, they said.
Image: FILE
A lobby group has urged President William Ruto to de-gazette the 129-member committee he appointed and revert to the old university funding model.
Elimu Bora Working Group said there was no need for a committee to review the new university funding model as its failure is evident.
“We don't need a committee to confirm that the new university funding model is terrible and hurts our children. We have seen its devastating effects right before our eyes,” the lobby group said in a statement on Sunday.
Elimu Bora said nearly 600,000 eligible students skipped university placement, with over 23,000 meeting university entry requirements in 2023 but choosing not to apply because the model made education unaffordable.
“Additionally, 136,592 students were eligible for diploma courses, and 249,149 qualified for certificate programmes but could not pursue their education due to the unaffordable funding bands in which they were placed.”
The lobby said the figures were evidence of widespread uncertainty caused by the new funding system.
“We don't need a committee to halt this model—the Ministry of Education can end this crisis with a simple stroke of the pen.”
The group accused the state of attempting to buy time, weaken the opposition, and avoid delivering meaningful education reforms.
Previous regimes employed similar tactics by forming commissions of inquiry to calm public dissent, they said.
Despite the solid recommendations from some of the commissions, no significant outcomes were realised, as the regimes failed to implement them.
They demanded that the Ministry of Education should revert to the old university funding model, allowing hundreds of thousands of students locked out of education to resume their studies.
“Our students should not be subjected to experimental policies that jeopardise their education. President Ruto should de-gazette the 129-member committee and allow the old university funding model to take effect.”
Elimu Bora Working Group is a network of civil society organisations promoting the right to education through awareness creation, research, advocacy and partnership building.
Members include the Kenya Human Rights Commission, Elimu Tuitakayo, Universities Academic Staff Union, Kenya National Interface Team, Constitution and Reform Education Consortium, National Students Caucus, Youth Agenda, and the Social Justice Centre.
President William Ruto appointed a 129-member national committee to review the new university funding model on September 16, chaired by Prof Micheni Ntiba.