Uproar as Varsity Cancels Exams for Students Due to Unpaid Fees
Member of Parliament for Embakasi East Babu Owino joined Kenyans in condemning the cancellation of tests for 65 students who appeared for exams at Kibabii University with an outstanding fee balance.
According to a notification dated January 17 and circulating online, concerned students will be required to register for supplementary examinations in the aforementioned courses.
The legislator was nonetheless irritated by the university’s decision to extend students’ stays at the school.
“The roots of education are bitter but the fruit is sweet. If the University of Nairobi can not do this why is Kibabii University destroying the lives of comrades?,” he questioned.
He added that nobody should be punished for lacking school fees noting that education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.
https://twitter.com/HEBabuOwino/status/1615939869720600577?s=20&t=YdPmu2udfiU2Ik-eNrZiCg
In addition, Francis Munyao or MCA Tricky, a comedian, was shocked by the university’s penalty.
“I am shocked there is such a policy in a Kenyan university. Yes, the exams can be null and void but not the ‘punishment’ part!!” he exclaimed.
“Senate in its 7th Senate Board of Examiners meeting held on January 11, 2023, declared the said examinations Null and Void and directed that the affected students pay the fees balances and apply to sit for the special examination in the said courses when next offered,” read part of the internal memo.
Consequently, numerous individuals demanded the introduction of a motion to prevent a similar incident at other educational institutions.
Some Kenyans were outraged by the Senate’s hasty decision to cancel the tests, arguing that it was barbaric.
“This is unacceptable, how is sitting for an exam without completing fee balance termed as an irregularity? The Education Cabinet Secretary should revisit this,” one suggested.
“If comrades can not pay their fees, how will the university run its activities?” another countered.
President William Ruto announced plans to eliminate the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and replace it with money for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) while ushering in the year 2023. This was in regards to education finance.
On November 7, 2022, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu backtracked on his statement that the government will no longer subsidize public universities.Only universities that comply with government regulations would be eligible for funding, he stated.
“To our universities, be assured that the government will continue to fund our universities but we ask you to also look for other ways to generate income,” Machogu advised.
Uproar as Varsity Cancels Exams for Students Due to Unpaid Fees