The Education System in Distress: Schools and Universities Under Pressure.
Learning in public universities is expected to face significant disruption this week as lecturers prepare to strike over unresolved pay issues, exacerbating an already chaotic education sector impacted by grievances from both students and educators.
Two unions, representing 30,000 members across public universities and constituent colleges, have called for a boycott starting Wednesday due to the government’s failure to implement a salary increase outlined in a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that expires next year.
The impending strike will deepen the turmoil already felt in universities, following recent protests by students demanding the government withdraw a new funding model.
The revised funding system has led to higher household fees and students being saddled with additional loans.
The ongoing crisis worsens the situation, coming on the heels of secondary school teachers’ strikes over dissatisfaction with union agreements.
Junior school teachers are currently on a go-slow, further aggravating the education sector’s crisis.
The new educational levels face severe congestion issues due to inadequate infrastructure, including a shortage of classrooms and laboratories.
Financial Challenges Facing the Education Sector
Two years after President William Ruto took office, the education sector has experienced significant turbulence, raising concerns about long-term impacts.
Despite early hopes for reform, persistent financial challenges have cast doubt on the administration’s policies.
Chronic underfunding has delayed capitation disbursements, affecting the operations of both schools and universities.
The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), initially hailed as a transformative initiative, has also struggled due to insufficient funding.
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Universities have been particularly affected, with crippling debts and salary delays for staff leading to ongoing threats of strikes.
Unions have criticized the government’s slow response to these concerns, pointing to the failure to fully implement the 2021-2025 CBA.
Last week, the University Academic Staff Union (Uasu) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (Kusu) issued a seven-day strike notice, citing delays in salary payments.
Union representatives lamented that other public sector employees had enjoyed salary adjustments since 2021, while university staff remained neglected.
Issues with the New Higher Education Funding Model
The Ruto administration introduced a new higher education funding model last year, replacing the differentiated unit cost system.
This new model provides scholarships and loans based on students’ socio-economic backgrounds, but implementation issues have surfaced.
Many universities have struggled financially under this system, leading to budget shortfalls, reduced academic resources, and faculty strikes.
The Uasu Secretary-General expressed dissatisfaction with the funding model, noting that it unfairly determines a student’s future based on their parents’ background and lacks clarity in its disbursement process.
Meanwhile, students, frustrated by delayed scholarships and declining education quality, have also voiced their concerns.
Ramesh Saxena from the University of Nairobi Students Association called for an overhaul of the financial categorization bands, claiming many students were misclassified under the current system.
Challenges with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC)
The introduction of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in primary and secondary schools has increased pressure on teachers, many of whom feel unprepared and overwhelmed by the system.
Despite the formation of a task force to review CBC reforms, several key challenges persist. Critics argue that fundamental issues, such as the lack of adequate teacher recruitment and training, remain unaddressed.
Concerns from Education Stakeholders
Moses Nthurima, Deputy Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers, expressed concern about the current state of the education system.
He criticized the decision to retain Grade 8 students in primary schools, stating that they are missing out on critical resources available in secondary schools, such as specialized subject facilities.
According to him, this move risks producing a “lost generation” of learners who lack access to essential academic support.
Nthurima also pointed out that the CBC, initially designed to promote equal opportunities for all learners, now appears to be increasingly shaped by commercial interests.
He warned that the rising trend of parents opting for private education, driven by deteriorating public school standards, is not only affecting teacher employment but also threatening the overall quality of education.
Public Schools’ Resource Deficiencies
While efforts to improve infrastructure in schools continue, many primary schools, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, still struggle with significant resource shortages.
These deficiencies have become a substantial barrier to improving the quality of education, further widening the gap between public and private schooling.
Support for CBC Reforms
Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary-General Collins Oyuu praised the work of the presidential task force in streamlining CBC reforms.
He endorsed the decision to keep junior secondary schools within primary schools, arguing that it supports the developmental needs of learners.
Additionally, he underscored the pressing need for constructing Grade Nine classrooms, stressing the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to resolve ongoing issues, such as the new funding model.
Oyuu expressed confidence that with detailed discussions, these challenges could be effectively addressed.
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Conclusion
The education sector is currently grappling with financial constraints, teacher strikes, and an overloaded system, all of which present significant hurdles to the government’s reform efforts.
As stakeholders continue to raise concerns, it is clear that urgent action is required to address these systemic issues and ensure a stable and promising future for education in the country.
The Education System in Distress: Schools and Universities Under Pressure.
