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Students Threaten Strike Over University Scholarships/Loans Delay

Students Threaten Strike Over University Scholarships/Loans Delay

In institutions of higher education, a potential disruption to learning activities looms on the horizon starting next Tuesday if students follow through with their nationwide protest plans, aimed at compelling the government to release funds.

A group of student representatives hailing from various universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions have expressed their deep concern about the significant hardships faced by thousands of vulnerable first-year students who, even two months after commencing their studies, have not yet received scholarships and loans under the recently implemented funding model.

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These student leaders have also contended that they were not consulted or included in the process of reviewing the new University Funding Model.

The delayed disbursement of loans and scholarships under the new funding framework has caused Raphael Leboo, a student at Kisii University, to have a turbulent start to his first year of study.

Raphael, along with two of his fellow students, has been living in an unfurnished single room, struggling to cover rent and food expenses.

Raphael and Sylvanus, like many other students who depend on government funding for their education, come from financially vulnerable backgrounds.

Their daily hardships, including skipping meals and doing everything possible to make ends meet, have taken a toll on their academic progress and the realization of their aspirations for a better future is now at risk.

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The dire circumstances have prompted student leaders, who convened at a stakeholders’ forum in Nairobi, to issue a threat of nationwide protests to demand immediate government intervention.

Students are also lamenting that the modifications made to the new higher education funding model will have profound and far-reaching consequences for thousands of learners.

However, during the 47th graduation ceremony held at Egerton University in Njoro, Nakuru County, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu defended the university’s funding model.

The Education Secretary disclosed that out of the 140,000 students placed in universities for the 2023–2024 academic year, a staggering 119,000 have been admitted without receiving the expected financial support.

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Machogu also emphasized the urgent need to address the growing debt challenges faced by public universities.

Tensions have been escalating within most public universities and TVET institutions due to the government’s inability to disburse the funds.

The management of these institutions has found it increasingly challenging to sustain their operations as a result of admitting students without the expected financial backing.

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Students Threaten Strike Over University Scholarships/Loans Delay

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