CS Ogamba Rebuts Catholic Bishops’ Claims on CBC and University Funding, Says Education sector is stable

CS Ogamba Rebuts Catholic Bishops’ Claims on CBC and University Funding, Says Education sector is stable.

The Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Education has strongly refuted statements by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), describing them as inaccurate and misleading to the public.

Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba (Education) expressed dismay over what they saw as the Church’s disregard for government progress in healthcare, education, and security.

CBC and University Funding

The CS emphasized the achievements made in these programs since the CBC was introduced in 2017 and the new funding model rolled out in 2023.

Ogamba argued that the Church had misjudged the state of these programs, which it labeled as “crumbling.” He insisted that the government had made substantial progress by heavily investing in both initiatives to improve their efficacy.

He highlighted that the new Student-Centred Funding Model was implemented based on recommendations from a Working Party and had already shown positive results by alleviating the financial strain on universities.

Since the launch of the Student-Centred Funding Model in 2023, the model has effectively reduced financial pressures on higher education institutions.

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Prior to its implementation, universities were facing a debt burden estimated at Ksh 70 billion, with several institutions at the brink of insolvency.

The new funding structure has allowed these institutions to regain financial stability and continue providing quality education to students.

Extensive Consultation for CBC Implementation

The development of CBC involved wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders, including active participation from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Through public involvement and contributions from various groups, the government shaped CBC to meet educational reform goals.

The Presidential Working Party on Education Reform incorporated this feedback, demonstrating the inclusive nature of CBC’s implementation.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot called out the Church for resorting to generalized statements, urging religious leaders to seek formal channels if they had concerns with individual government officials.

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National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah criticized the statement’s tone, suggesting it cast the Church in a politically partisan light.

The government’s detailed rebuttal serves as a response to what it sees as unfounded accusations, reaffirming its commitment to resolving healthcare debts, advancing educational reforms, and addressing security challenges through continued investigations and law enforcement efforts.

CS Ogamba Rebuts Catholic Bishops’ Claims on CBC and University Funding, Says Education sector is stable

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