Student leaders in Mombasa have announced plans to hold demonstrations on Monday, opposing the new university funding model recently implemented by the government. The protest aims to highlight the perceived injustices and inequalities brought about by the model, which student leaders claim is oppressive and discriminatory, particularly towards those from low-income backgrounds.
The New Funding Model: A Source of Contention
The government introduced the new funding model as part of its efforts to address financial constraints faced by public universities. Under this model, students are classified into various categories based on their financial need and academic performance, with funding distributed accordingly. The model is designed to be more targeted, allocating resources to students who need them most while encouraging others to seek alternative funding, such as loans or scholarships.
However, this new approach has sparked significant controversy among the student population. Critics argue that it places an undue burden on students from underprivileged backgrounds who may struggle to meet the criteria for the highest levels of funding. Many students feel that the model does not adequately account for the diverse socio-economic challenges faced by Kenyan families, effectively penalizing those who are already disadvantaged.
Students Speak Out: “The Model is Oppressive”
In a press briefing, Mombasa’s student leaders called on all university students within the county to join the protests, urging them to stand in solidarity against what they described as an unfair system. The student leaders expressed their frustration, stating that the new funding model threatens to widen the gap between the rich and the poor in access to higher education.
“This model is oppressive and discriminatory. It favors those who already have the means, leaving the rest of us to fend for ourselves in a system that should be designed to support us,” said one of the student leaders. They emphasized that education is a fundamental right and that the government should ensure equal opportunities for all, regardless of financial background.
The students also appealed to parents and guardians to support their cause, urging them to participate in the demonstrations to amplify their call for the government to reconsider its stance. “Our parents are also affected by this model because they are the ones who bear the brunt of our financial struggles. We need them to stand with us until the government listens,” another student leader added.
Echoes from Nairobi: A Nationwide Movement?
The planned protests in Mombasa come on the heels of similar actions taken by student leaders at the University of Nairobi (UoN). Last week, UoN student leaders issued a statement rejecting the new funding model, describing it as a betrayal of the government’s promise to make higher education accessible to all. The UoN protests saw hundreds of students take to the streets, drawing national attention to the issue.
This emerging trend suggests a growing nationwide discontent among university students over the government’s handling of education funding. As the protests spread, they reflect a broader dissatisfaction that cuts across regional and institutional lines, indicating that the issue may require urgent government intervention to prevent further unrest.
Government Response and the Way Forward
While the government has defended the new funding model as a necessary step to ensure the sustainability of university education funding, it has also faced calls for dialogue and reconsideration. Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu recently acknowledged the concerns raised by students and promised that the government would engage with stakeholders to address the issues.
However, student leaders argue that words without action will not suffice. They demand immediate changes to the funding model, insisting that the current system is unworkable for the majority of students.
As the planned protests in Mombasa approach, all eyes will be on the government’s next move. Will it heed the call of the students and parents, or will the demonstrations continue to gain momentum across the country? One thing is certain: the future of Kenya’s higher education funding hangs in the balance, and the voices of those affected are growing louder by the day.
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