- The development budget was to facilitate the enhancement of the digital infrastructure.
- Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyang’ala told the MPs that this will now affect the institution’s capacity to grow.
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The Open University of Kenya unveiled by President William Ruto last year with high hopes to revolutionize higher education is among the worst hit in the budget rationalisation across the government.
This follows the withdrawal of the finance bill.
The institution located at Konza Technopolis has had its development vote of Sh200 million budgeted completely scrapped.
In total, the varsity had been allocated Sh670 million out of which Sh470 million was recurrent, documents tabled before the education committee by the ministry show.
The varsity, the first virtual public learning institution offers learners an opportunity to study from the comfort of their homes or workplaces.
“The development budget was to facilitate the enhancement of the digital infrastructure so as to host an increased number of academic programmes,” reads the document.
Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyang’ala told the MPs that this will now affect the institution’s capacity to grow.
“Without additional support for diversification of its programmes, the growth of the University and its capacity to expand access to university education will be constrained,” she said.
In total, the varsity proposed an allocation of Sh1.59 billion to effectively fulfill its mandate meaning with the proposed allocation of Sh470 million for 2024/25 it has a deficit of Sh1.12 billion.
“The funding gap will constrain the diversification of the programs of the university to meet the growing demand for flexible learning at the university level,” she said.
While issuing the charter during a ceremony on August 4, Ruto stated that the institution will enhance public university capacity and deliver a 100 per cent transition to higher education.
“Our administration is keen on offering competitive and industry-driven education, aligned with the government’s economic transformation agenda,” he stated.
It currently offers seven flagship programmes that include five degrees and two postgraduate diploma programmes.
The first set of programmes offered to students from September last year include Bachelor of Data Science, Bachelor of Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, Bachelor of Entrepreneurship and Business, Bachelor of Technology Education, Bachelor of Economics and Statistics, Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Design and Technology and, Postgraduate Diploma in leadership and Accountability.
It was established to enhance access to higher education in Kenya drawing on digital technology.
Some 22 other stalled projects in various public varsities are also set to be affected by the budget rationalization.
The projects which the PS said at a 60 per cent completion rate include upgrades to facilities, renovations, and continued constructions.
“...they are crucial for enhancing the overall student experience,” she said.
Implementation of Presidential commitments prioritized for execution during this financial year and settlement of legal liabilities that the universities are facing are other key issues that will suffer.
“The absence of funding will prevent universities from settling these liabilities, which may lead to further financial difficulties and potential legal consequences,” she noted.