• “It is high time the government respect the value of education and strives to ensure its affordable to all Kenyans,” Mwalu said.
• Mwalu decried increased varsity students drop outs, if the proposal I adopted.
Image: HANDOUT
University student leaders have faulted the education review team for recommending an increase in varsities fees.
Kenya Private Universities Students Association secretary-general Victor Mwalu decried increased varsity students dropouts if the proposal is adopted.
The presidential working party on education reforms recommended an increase from the current Sh16,000 to Sh52,000.
“It is high time the government should respect the value of education and strive to ensure its affordable to all Kenyans,” Mwalu said.
In a statement seen by the Star, Mwalu who also led the Univeristies and Students Education Reforms Committee on the tertiary level called on the government to implement their manifesto.
"I remember you said very well that University fees will be free and that HELB will be a grant. What has happened all of a sudden?" Mwalu paused.
The KPUSA SG termed the proposal as an 'evil act' meant to disenfranchise poor students. Mwalu now recommends a bill to increase University funding.
“Since most tertiary institutions do not have money and the little they get is not enough, we need to look for other solutions,” he said.
The taskforce led by Raphael Munavu also wants the government to bail out public universities from part of their debts.
The taskforce in their second interim report has presented the recommendation as a solution to the financial challenges facing varsities.
According to the state department of higher education, the varsity debts have accrued to Sh61bn as of February 2023.
“The Government should provide universities with a bailout package for pension, CBA and salary arrears that are pending,” the report reads.
According to the universities Fund, the debts had hit Sh56 billion as of June 2022.
The universities owe contractors Sh1.4 billion, part-time lecturers Sh4.5 billion, suppliers Sh4.8 billion, and Sacco contributions Sh4.1 billion.
NSSF is owed Sh139 million, at NHIF there are Sh2 million loan deductions worth Sh1.3bn, pension schemes Sh18 billion and PAYE is owed Sh13 billion, while other loans have accumulated Sh10 billion.
“The penalties and interests on PAYE arrears should be waived, and a conditional grant to cater for the principal PAYE arrears be provided,” the report reads.