Civil society rejects Ruto's committee on university funding model

From left: National Students Caucus Communication Strategists and Ambassador Esther Gachanja, Elimu Bora Policy and Strategy Advisor Boaz Waruku, Elimu Bora member Daudi Karani address a press conference on the university funding model in Nairobi, on September 22, 2024. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

President William Ruto's decision to appoint a 129-member national committee to review the new university funding model has attracted opposition from civil society organisations, who have called for return to the old funding model.

Under the umbrella of the Elimu Bora Working Group (EBWG), the organisations criticised the move as a delaying tactic, aimed at weakening opposition to the new funding model and avoiding meaningful educational reforms.

Among the organisations opposed to the controversial funding model include Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Elimu Tuitakayo, Social Justice Centre, National Students Caucus, and the Youth Agenda.

"Previous regimes have employed similar tactics by forming commissions of inquiry to calm public dissent. However, despite the solid recommendations from some of these commissions, no significant outcomes were realised as the regimes failed to implement them. We don't need a committee to confirm that the new university funding model is terrible and hurts our children," said Cornelius Oduor, the Deputy Executive Director at KHRC.

The education lobby noted that in 2023, nearly 600,000 eligible students decided not to enroll in  university while more than 23,000 met university entry requirements, but chose not to apply because the funding 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," said Oduor.

They said that the figures reflect widespread uncertainty and doubt caused by the new funding system.

The lobby argued that reverting to old funding model will allow hundreds of thousands of students locked out of education to resume their studies.

"The President should de-gazette the 129 member committee and allow the old university funding model to take effect," said Oduor.

Boaz Waruku, the policy and strategy advisor of EBWG, said in the old funding model, accountability and mismanagement in the universities was the main concern.

"The people that have been placed to lead them are those promoted on the basis of politics and not merit or other credentials," he said.

Waruku said, it is the government's responsibility to fund institutions of learning, and that the burden should not fall on parents or students.