The Wiper Party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, on Wednesday, November 20, blasted the government over problems facing the education sector.
In a press statement, Kalonzo pointed out that the education sector is in disorder, compounded by a lack of finances and necessary infrastructural facilities for the implementation of the new university funding model.
“University education at public universities is in shambles. The Kenya Kwanza regime cannot even uphold the collective bargaining (CBA) agreements it has struck with the remaining few university presidents,” Kalonzo faulted.
According to Kalonzo, Moi University and the University of Nairobi (UoN) are both dealing with major challenges. The Wiper boss noted that Moi is embroiled in corruption scandals, while the University of Nairobi has been plagued by ongoing leadership crises.
It comes as the universities have downed their tools entering their fourth week, paralyzing learning in public universities across the country.
“For weeks, there has been no learning. Worse, the government openly broadcasts misinformation about an agreement it has with the dons,” Kalonzo lamented.
“Kenya Kwanza should allow public universities to flourish without government interference, micromanagement, or arm twisting,” he added.
Meanwhile, the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has maintained their strike is on until the CBA they signed with the government is implemented. UASU officials declined a Ksh4.3 billion offer from the government, insisting that Ksh10.7 billion is the amount that would facilitate the implementation of their CBA.
“The facts are quite clear. It’s unfortunate that the rest of the world is watching us and will soon begin to question the quality of the graduates we produce, especially since most teachers are currently on strike. Why can’t this regime meet its responsibilities to the dons?”
The former vice president also noted that the current pupil-teacher ratio of 60:1 in CBC is one of the highest in the world, substantially exceeding the recommended 40:1.
As such, the existing ratio significantly surpasses the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommended ratio of 25:1, Kalonzo noted.
He further weighed on the confusion regarding where grade nine pupils will be domiciled. “The fact that there is a misunderstanding about where Grade Nine students should matriculate demonstrates a lack of preparation and management,” he faulted.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE