TUK Students Protest Prolonged University Closure, Demand Reopening.
Students at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) have expressed their dissatisfaction over the indefinite closure of their institution, which has persisted for the past two weeks.
They have voiced concerns that the closure has negatively impacted their academic progress and overall well-being.
Through their student association, they urged both the university management and the striking staff to expedite negotiations to facilitate their return to class.
The students, who picketed outside the university along Haile Selassie Avenue on Tuesday, stated that the continued shutdown has left them idle, a situation that has worried their parents and guardians.
Concerns Over Academic Uncertainty
According to Rafael Oguk, the TUK students’ secretary general, parents who have sacrificed to pay fees are disheartened to see their children stranded without attending classes.
He emphasized that the students demand immediate intervention from Parliament to resolve the crisis.
The indefinite closure, he added, has created a dire situation at the university, which was once regarded as a center of academic excellence.
The students also highlighted their uncertainty regarding the semester, which commenced in September last year and has now stretched beyond six months.
The postponement of their examinations has left them confused, with no clarity on when they will resume or complete their studies to graduate on time.
Mr. Oguk noted that they remain in limbo, unsure of when the semester will continue and when they will sit for their exams.
Call for Government Intervention
In their plea, the students urged the national government, particularly the Ministry of Education, to address the issues affecting TUK with urgency.
They lamented that many students residing in hostels have been forced to seek alternative means of survival in Nairobi due to the lack of academic activities.
They also criticized the striking staff, claiming that while students struggle, university employees appear to be celebrating their ongoing strike.
Gerald Owuor, a computer science student, pointed out that the closure of the institution was solely due to the staff strike, disregarding the needs of students who had been preparing for their exams.
He questioned the rationale behind shutting down the university, stating that at the time of closure, there was no structural damage or emergency that warranted such action. He insisted that they deserve an explanation for why the university remains closed.
Criticism of University Management
In addition to seeking government intervention, the students have urged the Ministry of Education to hold the Vice-Chancellor and the entire university council accountable for the mismanagement of funds and the delay in staff salaries.
They believe that resolving financial mismanagement at the institution is a crucial step toward addressing the ongoing crisis.
Pascal Juma, the students’ academic secretary, expressed frustration that they have been kept uninformed about the ongoing negotiations despite being the primary victims of the strike.
He asserted that students should be allowed to resume their classes and be given adequate time to prepare for their postponed exams.
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Official Directive and Staff Standoff
Earlier this month, TUK Academic Registrar Dr. Moses Wamalwa issued a directive requiring all diploma and undergraduate students to vacate the university premises until further notice.
However, academic activities remain at a standstill as members of both the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) have refused to return to work until their demands are fully met.
As the standoff continues, students remain in a state of uncertainty, eagerly awaiting a resolution that will allow them to resume their education and restore normalcy at the institution.
TUK Students Protest Prolonged University Closure, Demand Reopening.
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