Kenyan students studying in Universities in Finland under scholarships offered by the county government of Uasin Gishu face discontinuation and deportation after the devolved unit reportedly failed to pay their fees.
According to Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), Laurea University of Applied Sciences, and Saimaa Vocational Collage the county government had gone against agreements made to facilitate the education of the students.
As reported by Helsinki Times, a Finland-based newspaper, TAMK University Vice president Ari Sivula stated that they had issued a payment reminder of dues of up to Ksh26,915,990 to the county, but the payments had not been made.
The vice president stated that they would prevent the students from continuing their studies if they will not have received the funds by March.
“We sent the first payment reminder to Uasin Gishu in November. The due date in the latest collection letter was 28 February 2023.
“Education is not free and we have to find someone to pay the invoice. We will keep our lines of communication open to Kenya and continue looking for a solution in March,” Sivula stated
Moreover, Laurea University which had 139 Kenyan students, stated that the student’s right to study would expire at the end of March along with their right of residence if the tuition fees was not paid.
The university added that it had been notified by a county representative that the fees was collected from the students or their parents, a move they stated violated the agreement between the institution and the county.
“Some students and parents have expressed concern about the possibility of misappropriation of funds,” the university stated.
Saima Vocational Collage however, had already terminated its agreement with Uasin Gishu County.
Efforts by Kenyans.co.ke to reach the Uasin Gishu Governor’s Press Director were futile as calls and texts went unanswered.
However, a representative from the Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland Atte Jääskeläinen, told Helsinki Times responded to the matter stating that there was a need to protect the rights of students in commissioned education.
He added that the universities ought to ensure that the fees are paid in advance to protect the students.
"The students took a risk, the risk was realised, and they should bear the risk. When the university considers its own reputation or social responsibility, the situation becomes more complicated.,” he noted.
Despite the plight of Kenyan students abroad, Kenya continues to record an increase in the number of foreign students seeking admission to Kenyan universities.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education, State Department for University Education and Research Simon Nabukwesi in September 2022 stated that Kenyan students studying abroad were raising the stakes of the country's education system by performing well.
To attract a high number of students, the government laid out ambitious plans, including subsiding students' visas, lowering accommodation costs, and standardising fee structures in various universities.
Earlier in In May 2021, former Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago partnered with Tampere University, Finland, in a programme where the students were airlifted to live, study, and get guaranteed employment in Finland upon completion of their courses
In September 2021, under the programme, 51 students were to pursue medicine, 25 who were going to pursue degree courses, and 26 who were to pursue diplomas left the country.
However, the county had since failed to remit money for some of the successful candidates.
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