VARSITY STRIKE: Various Universities’ Students Hit The Streets Despite Suspension
A group of university students in Eldoret City and Machakos began a strike to demand an overhaul of the new university funding model.
The students, led by Moi University student leaders, promised to continue the demonstrations even after they were suspended.
The protests came just a day after another faction in Nairobi called off their strike on Sunday following consultations with education stakeholders.
There has been widespread dissatisfaction with the new university funding model, which students claim prevents many students from pursuing higher education.
Moi University students in Eldoret hold protests against new funding model despite calls from their leaders to call off the nationwide strike pic.twitter.com/1qm35bKS5M
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) September 9, 2024
“We are demonstrating against the punitive and oppressive new funding model that seeks to bring inequality in education,” one of the student leaders lamented.
“Education is an equaliser to all students from all backgrounds. We are concerned about the discriminatory nature of the new university funding model.”
#KENYA: Meru University Comrades join Moi University Students on the streets to protest against the New University Funding Model. pic.twitter.com/skGmaFFhAD
— MwanzoTV (@MwanzoTv) September 9, 2024
The students vowed not to allow the new funding model and will continue to call on President William to revert to the traditional funding model as stakeholders find a new alternative.
Among other things, the student leaders advocated for a reduction in the cost of hostel accommodations and tuition fees, which they claim have risen dramatically without public participation.
The government announced on Sunday that it will form two working committees to review the new funding model.
The committees will include student representatives in an attempt to find a solution to the thorny issue confronting the country’s educational system.
This afternoon, I met with student leaders drawn from different universities across the country.
— Dr. Raymond Omollo — CBS (@ray_omollo) September 8, 2024
Central to our conversation was the new university funding model, which categorizes students based on their economic backgrounds.
This tiered approach ensures that those from… pic.twitter.com/keFUzwTn0B
According to a press release from the Ministry of Education, the working committees will include student leadership, experts, and other relevant stakeholders.
The striking students demanded that the bands, particularly Band 4 and Band 5, be disbanded and removed entirely.
“We reject and object to the new university funding model,” they chanted.
VARSITY STRIKE: Various Universities’ Students Hit The Streets Despite Suspension
