UNIVERSITIES KENYA: How Strikes Are Affecting Learning In Public Colleges
Students at public colleges across Kenya are facing an unparalleled academic crisis.
Thousands of students have been placed in limbo, with learning activities halted due to an impasse over the new funding model and lengthy industrial action by teachers.
According to student leaders from the Elimu Bora Working Group, the interruption has created enormous mental pain, leaving many students concerned about completing their assignments or taking tests on time.
Some students’ graduation preparations have also fallen apart.
Varsity Education: Crisis After Crisis
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 17, 2024
University students want govt to resolve stalemate
Under Elimu Bora, university students decry lost time
Learning yet to resume at Moi University
Graduation ceremonies slated for December in limbo#CitizenSundayLive @KoinangeJeff… pic.twitter.com/z59npnrUE5
The leaders are now asking for an immediate end to the impasse, stressing the considerable mental and financial hardship on students who remain at school but do not attend courses.
The lecturers’ strike, now in its fourth week, has paralyzed study at public universities.
The industrial action, organized by the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), has sparked significant outrage among students, who now dread missing a full semester.
“A lot of learners are not sure if they will graduate this December or even sit their end-of-year exams,” said David Karani, a member of the Elimu Bora Working Group.
Emmanuel Magawa, Founder and Executive Director of the Students’ Caucus, added, “The quality of a semester is determined by the number of contact hours between lecturers and students.
“Without meeting this threshold, we cannot say there has been a successful academic year.”
Students believe the extended strike is negatively impacting their mental health and wallets.
Many parents and guardians, who already make sacrifices to support university education, are now burdened by their children’s extended school attendance.
“Parents are making significant sacrifices to keep their children in university. When the academic calendar is disrupted, it becomes an unnecessary financial burden on them,” lamented Karani.
This is the second lecturers’ strike in two months, following the one that was suspended on September 26.
"The Strike Action is Unprotected" ~ TUK pic.twitter.com/15ex2ArNY6
— Charles (@charleskioko_) November 12, 2024
In KU exams are on kama kawa, We've only had 2 weeks of learning, yet we are supposed to do exams @uasu_ku_chapter Salimia hawa
— Odhiambo Omondi $Beyond ❤️sorai (@DrOmondi2002) November 13, 2024
UASU pic.twitter.com/InyYjn8WCf
NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS: ATTENDANCE TO SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES pic.twitter.com/DKyM84Um1g
— Discover JKUAT (@DiscoverJKUAT) November 18, 2024
The university professors accuse the government of failing to follow the return-to-work agreement that concluded the previous strike.
“If you have given a member 7%, it will show,” said UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wesonga during an earlier address.
LECTURERS’ STRIKE: UASU members prepare for a procession to present petition to the Education and Treasury CSs over the ongoing strike. pic.twitter.com/tcqKOWkNlP
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) November 18, 2024
“Dons know how to calculate 7% and 4%. You cannot cheat them and expect UASU to be part of that manipulation. That, we will not do!”
ALSO READ:
- Equatorial Guinea Gov’t Resigns Over Goals Achievement Failure
- Teachers Seek Mass Transfers Due To Fears Of Political Violence
- Security Guards Lock Out County Officials Due To Salary Delays
- Senate Removes Sifuna From Lucrative Committee Chaired By Oburu Oginga
- School Bus Overturns While Carrying 59 Students, Injuring Several
Students, frustrated by the lack of resolution, are now calling on the government to intervene immediately to restore order in colleges.
“As the academic year nears its end in most universities, we urge the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labor, and other relevant government bodies to prioritize an honest and timely resolution to this crisis,” said Karani.
“Stakeholders must come together to solve this issue for the sake of the future generation.”
With no end in sight, students continue to bear the consequences of the crisis, which threatens to derail their academic progress and risk their future.
UNIVERSITIES KENYA: How Strikes Are Affecting Learning In Public Colleges
