UoN students reject committee on new funding model

University of Nairobi student leaders led by Rocha Madzao addressing the press on the new funding model and President William Ruto's four constituted committees to look into the students banding. [Jenipher Wachie, Stanadard]

University of Nairobi student leaders have opposed the government's move to form four committees to address student banding and funding.

Led by University of Nairobi Students Council President Rocha Madzao, they have given the government two weeks to rescind their decision or they take to the streets.

Madzao, on behalf of the students, has given the government two weeks to reverse their decision or face mass protests.

"We are saying disband the bands, band 4 and 5. We shall submit a petition in court and Parliament challenging the implementation of the new model," said Madzao.

"We will oppose any move to implement this new funding model because it has denied the majority of learners access to higher education."

Speaking on Tuesday at the University’s main campus in Nairobi, he said this is a way to divert the attention of students' demands.

"The committee is going to take two months and by then students will be deep in their semester examinations. This will lock the majority out from sitting the papers," he said.

He said, for many, the dream of higher education is slipping away, not due to a lack of ambition but because of a controversial new funding model.

 “This is a delaying tactic to lure our minds to accept their failed method. We will protest this,” he said.

The issue of funding is deep and some students continue to speak about their frustrations.

Francis Mwendwa, a second-year student in the Faculty of Engineering, who is a partial orphan said he is unable to fund his education after he was wrongly placed.

“I am a partial orphan and have been placed in band four. I only managed to pay Sh30,000 last year. I am unable to sit for exams because of arrears.”

Mwendwa’s story is one shared by many students who find themselves struggling under the new system.

The government’s decision to allocate students into different funding bands, based on factors such as financial need, has caused confusion and hardship for numerous learners.

He argues that forming committees is merely a tactic to delay addressing the real issue.

"The committee is going to take two months, and by then students will be deep in their semester examinations. This will lock the majority out from sitting the papers," he warned.

For students like Joshua Kodonyo, from the Faculty of Building Environment and Design, the lack of student representation in government decision-making is another point of contention.

"We don’t want reforms but a total disbandment of the student-centered model. The composition of the committees are people who have worked in government and have been in bed with the government. Where is room for students in the whole issue?" Kodonyo asked.

Madzao also criticized the government for duplicating duties and wasting public funds.

He questioned the necessity of the newly formed committees when the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is already responsible for managing student loans.

"We don’t see a point of committees reviewing loans when we have the HELB Board to be doing this. We don’t need a committee challenging the implementation of the model," he said.

The student leaders have instead urged the government to prioritize scholarships over loans, as many students are unable to repay their debts after graduation.

"Why do we need a loans committee to review loans when we have been clear that we don’t want the loans? The government should prioritize education for all. We won’t manage to pay loans for our education," said Madzao.

Joseph Mwaniki, the Governor of Science and Technology, echoed this sentiment, expressing concern over the high cost of educational programs. "I will not manage to do a master’s program because of the cost. I will need Sh2 million to pursue it to its conclusion," Mwaniki said.

The financial strain has forced some students to defer their admission or abandon their dreams of higher education altogether.

“We have over 500 students who have not reported for lack of school fees. Some have opted to drop the courses for less costly ones to ease the burden," Mwaniki added.