Kalonzo Faults Government for Crisis in Public Universities.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has criticized the government for the challenges crippling the education sector.
He highlighted issues such as insufficient funding and inadequate infrastructure necessary to implement the new university funding model.
Kalonzo observed that public universities are in disarray, with university education deteriorating under the Kenya Kwanza regime.
He accused the government of failing to honor collective bargaining agreements (CBA) it signed with the few remaining university presidents.
Kalonzo noted significant challenges at Moi University and the University of Nairobi (UoN). He pointed out that Moi University is grappling with corruption scandals, while UoN faces persistent leadership crises.
These problems have contributed to the disruption of academic activities, with public universities shutting down operations and entering the fourth week of a nationwide strike.
Prolonged University Strike
The strike by university staff has paralyzed learning, a situation worsened by the government allegedly spreading false information about agreements with lecturers.
Kalonzo emphasized that public universities should operate without government interference, micromanagement, or coercion.
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The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has maintained their strike, demanding the implementation of a signed CBA.
UASU officials rejected a government offer of Ksh4.3 billion, insisting on Ksh10.7 billion to implement the agreement fully.
Kalonzo expressed concerns that the prolonged strike could tarnish the reputation of Kenyan graduates, as most university lecturers remain on strike.
He criticized the government for failing to fulfill its obligations to the lecturers, warning of the negative impact this neglect could have on the education sector’s credibility.
CBC Pupil-Teacher Ratio Issues
The Wiper leader also addressed challenges in implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
He noted that the current pupil-teacher ratio in CBC classrooms stands at 60:1, far exceeding the UNESCO-recommended ratio of 25:1.
This imbalance, he argued, compromises the quality of education and exceeds the recommended 40:1 ratio.
Kalonzo further criticized the confusion surrounding the placement of Grade Nine pupils.
He attributed this to poor preparation and mismanagement, which he said highlighted the government’s lack of commitment to resolving critical educational issues.
Conclusion
Kalonzo called on the Kenya Kwanza government to address the pressing challenges in the education sector, urging it to fulfill its responsibilities and ensure that public universities and the CBC system function effectively.
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Kalonzo Faults Government for Crisis in Public Universities.
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