KUPPET Demands Government Transparency on HELB and University Funding Model After Court Ruling

KUPPET Demands Government Transparency on HELB and University Funding Model After Court Ruling.

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has urged the government to provide clear communication regarding the recent court ruling on the university funding model. The union also voiced strong opposition to the proposal of making Mathematics an optional subject at the senior school level.

Addressing the press on Wednesday, April 2, KUPPET stressed that the Court of Appeal had not overturned the High Court’s decision, contradicting misinformation circulating on the matter. Members expressed concerns about the uncertainty surrounding students joining universities and colleges in May and September due to the confusion about the ruling.

KUPPET members denounced President William Ruto’s recent comments on the funding model, stating that his remarks misrepresented the court’s decision. They maintained that the president’s claims of victory for the government’s funding model directly contradicted the actual ruling, emphasizing their strong opposition to its implementation.

“The Court of Appeal has not overturned Justice Chacha Mwita’s High Court judgment that declared this funding model unconstitutional, despite widespread misinformation suggesting otherwise,” one KUPPET member stated.

The union called on students to remain alert and document any difficulties they encounter under the new funding model. It stressed the importance of keeping track of challenges to effectively utilize the available appeal mechanisms when introduced in the following week.

“We urge students to document any changes they face under this system and prepare to utilise the mechanism when it becomes available within the next week,” another member said.

Public Participation in Policy Review

Following the Court of Appeal’s stay order on the new university funding model, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Universities Fund (UF) requested public input on the policy. Students and stakeholders were invited to submit comments and memoranda regarding the model before the April 4 deadline.

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The two institutions emphasized that public participation was a necessary step in response to the court’s ruling, ensuring that students’ concerns were considered in the ongoing discussions.

On March 25, the Court of Appeal suspended a prior High Court ruling that had declared the government’s university funding model unconstitutional. The ruling sparked significant debate, with stakeholders awaiting further legal and governmental clarification on the matter.

KUPPET Demands Government Transparency on HELB and University Funding Model After Court Ruling.

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