Government-sponsored students placed at private universities risk not receiving their graduation papers according to a report tabled at the National Assembly by Tinderet Member of Parliament Julius Melly.
Speaking on Wednesday, February 29, Melly stated that the decision by the National Government to drastically cut funding for private universities had put thousands of students in jeopardy.
Melly who serves as Education Committee chair at the National Assembly raised the concerns when his team met the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC) led by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
“Melly emphasised the plight of continuing government-sponsored students in private universities, warning that unresolved pending bills could jeopardize these students' receipt of certificates,” a report from the National Assembly read in part.
President William Ruto’s government discontinued the program that had been started in 2017 arguing that it had disadvantaged public universities leading them to cripple in debt.
Additionally, it was revealed that the private universities had not provided an audit on how the Ksh8.7 billion allocated for the program had been spent.
Interestingly, it was MP Julius Melly who on March 9, 2023, proposed that the program be abolished.
“We do not understand why the government would want to place students who are already poor in private universities,” he stated citing that the private universities were expensive.
“If you want to go to a private university, get your money and go there. We do not have a problem with that but the government will not fund.”
The Education Committee chair now reckons that continuing students who were already in the program are at risk as the government is not disbursing funds.
The situation is likely to be exacerbated by the proposed decision to cut budget allocation for the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission.
Melly urged Nyoro’s team to reconsider that noting it would hurt educational initiatives and services.
