University Students at Risk as Govt Cuts Funding
University Students at Risk as Govt Cuts Funding
University Students at Risk as Govt Cuts Funding
According to a report presented to the National Assembly by Tinderet Member of Parliament Julius Melly, government-sponsored students enrolled in private universities run the risk of not receiving their educational credentials.
In a statement on Wednesday, February 29, Melly said that thousands of students were in danger as a result of the National Government’s decision to significantly reduce financing for private universities.
Melly, the National Assembly’s chair of the Education Committee, brought up the issues during a meeting with the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC), which is chaired by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
A National Assembly investigation stated, in part, that “Melly emphasised the plight of continuing government-sponsored students in private universities, warning that unresolved pending bills could jeopardize these students’ receipt of certificates.”
The administration of President William Ruto ended the initiative in 2017, claiming it had hurt public colleges and left them deeply in debt. It was also discovered that the private institutions had neglected to submit an audit detailing the expenditure of the Ksh8.7 billion allotted for the initiative.
Remarkably, MP Julius Melly was the one who suggested ending the program on March 9, 2023.Citing the high cost of private universities, he said, “We do not understand why the government would want to place students who are already poor in private universities.”
“Get your money and go to a private university if that’s what you want to do. Although the government won’t fund it, we don’t mind at all.”
The chair of the Education Committee now believes that because the government is not providing funding, continuing students who were already enrolled in the program are in danger.
The planned decision to reduce funding for the Teachers Service Commission and the Ministry of Education is probably going to make things worse.Melly requested that Nyoro’s staff reevaluate this, pointing out that it would negatively impact educational programs and services.
