Author: Hezron Rooy

Poor Planning and Integrity Issues Disrupt University Funding Model The ongoing crisis in university funding has been attributed to the failure to implement a proposed funding model by university vice-chancellors (VCs) and the poor execution of the new model. Conversations with VCs from both public and private universities, along with government insiders and other higher education stakeholders, have highlighted these issues. The state has mobilized over 100,000 officers from the National Government Administration Office to assist in verifying the information provided by financial aid applicants nationwide. This move aims to ensure that all eligible individuals receive the funding they are…

The Hidden Battle for Control of Bursary Billions A recent proposal to consolidate all funds supporting needy students has stirred reactions among Members of Parliament (MPs). Some MPs are advocating for the funds to be managed through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) for better oversight and distribution. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula instructed Clerk Samuel Njoroge to draft a legislative proposal to establish a clear structure for administering bursaries and scholarships. This policy aims to merge all existing bursary funds to ensure equitable distribution and reduce the risk of duplication. While the specifics of the proposed legislation are…

Upcoming Wave of Strikes: Five Critical Sectors to Halt Operations in Kenya Kenya is bracing for significant disruptions in the coming days as several sectors, including education, transport, and public service, have announced impending strikes. The collective industrial actions threaten to bring the country to a standstill and pose a significant challenge to the Kenya Kwanza administration, which is already grappling with the aftermath of recent anti-government protests. Teachers’ Strike Set to Begin Teachers in both primary and secondary schools are preparing to commence a strike on Monday, coinciding with the reopening of schools for the third term. The Kenya…

UoN Student Leader Rocha Madzao Disappears Following Alleged Abduction The University of Nairobi Students Association (UNSA) is facing a crisis as its President, Rocha Madzao, has reportedly gone missing. Despite ongoing search efforts, no information has surfaced regarding his whereabouts. Reports indicate that Madzao was abducted on Friday night by unidentified individuals while he was on his way home. According to a fellow student, Madzao was last in contact with the UNSA Chief of Staff around 9 p.m. during a brief phone call. During this call, Madzao expressed that he was being harassed by some men. The call, which lasted…

KISE Hosts Expo on Specialised Learning Resources and Disability Tech The Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) is set to host an expo focused on specialised learning materials, assistive devices, and technology. Scheduled for September 5-6, 2024, this event will take place at KISE’s headquarters in Kasarani, Nairobi. The expo is themed “An African Expo on Specialised Learning Resources, Assistive Devices, and Technology.” The expo will cover various sub-themes, including specialised learning materials, assistive devices, and technology. Manufacturers and suppliers are expected to present their products and engage with users to identify new market opportunities. Follow Teachers Updates Page On…

Government Releases School Capitation, Issues Fee Directive Ahead Monday’s Reopening As schools prepare to reopen on August 26th, 2024, the Kenyan government has announced the release of KSh 21,879,307,912.48 as capitation funds to support learners in public basic education institutions. The government has committed to providing free and compulsory basic education, as mandated by Article 53(1)(b) of the Constitution, with this significant allocation to ensure a smooth transition into the new school term. The funds have been distributed across the three levels of basic education as follows: The timely release of these funds aims to ensure the uninterrupted resumption of…

Teachers Ready for Monday Strike: List of Demands and Unresolved Issues Public school operations might face severe disruptions next week as discussions between the government and teachers’ unions have reached an impasse. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have expressed dissatisfaction with the Teacher Service Commission’s (TSC) response to their demands. The unions have stated that the TSC has addressed only one of their six key demands. Teachers in Rarieda and Bondo subcounties are prepared to join the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) in industrial action. The executive committees…

Education Ministry Extends Funding Appeals Deadline to December 31 The government has reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring a fair and transparent process in disbursing higher education funds, emphasizing that all deserving students will receive support. As part of the ongoing efforts to provide financial aid, the government has initiated the processing of appeals for re-categorization of funding applications. This process is expected to conclude within three weeks from the date of each appeal submission. The Higher Education Portal, which is open for this year’s application cycle, has already received 134,029 applications for loans and scholarships. Out of these, 127,591 applications…

12,000 Students Appeal for University Funding Model Reclassification Over 12,000 students have requested additional funding from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), citing incorrect placement into funding bands. The Universities Fund CEO, Geoffrey Monari, confirmed that the organization has taken steps to address this issue. Monari assured that applications for funding and appeals will be ongoing until the end of the year. As of Thursday evening, more than 127,000 loans and scholarships had been processed, including over 10,000 appeals. This indicates that many students are still eager to ensure their correct categorization. The total number of applications received by Thursday…

Ministry of Education Disburses Sh5.2 Billion to HELB for Student Loans and Scholarships By Friday, the Ministry of Education had released Sh5.2 billion to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) for tuition and upkeep loans for students set to join various universities across the country starting the following Monday. Out of the total amount, Sh2.8 billion was allocated to the University Fund for scholarships. The disbursement process, which involves verifying student reporting and admission, has already commenced, with funds being sent to the respective university and student accounts. Julius Migos, the Education Cabinet Secretary, promised to finalize the disbursements by…