Why I’m Changing the University Funding Model - Ruto

President William Ruto has defended the new University funding model saying that the old model was destroying education because it assumed that all the courses were the same.

Speaking in the town hall meeting that was held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Sunday August 25, Ruto addressed concerns about the new funding model saying that it is meant to address inequality in our education system that has been going on for years.

“The old funding model was almost destroying our education because it assumed that all the courses were the same,” he explained.

President Ruto stated that 23 of the 40 institutions were bankrupt when he took office, and he blamed this on the shortcomings of the previous funding model which led to institutions such as Scott Christian University (located in Machakos) closing down due to lack of funds.

“It also assumed that the government had the money to pay 80 per cent for everybody, when it did not and the results were disastrous,” he added.

Prof. Daniel Mugendi Njiru, Vice Chancellor (VC) of Embu University and Chair of the University's Forum, stated that most universities were on the verge of bankruptcy due to the old model. 

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“The old model was killing our universities. As of June 17, 2023, 23 out of 40 universities were technically insolvent. The round of this model that we started last year has been able to get many of those universities out of the pit,” he clarified, saying that under the previous arrangement, colleges were unable to pay their employees on time because of arrears.

Government’s Message to Parents as KNUT Calls off Strike

The government assured parents that the welfare of their children will be well taken care of ahead of third term school reopening on Monday August 26, in a statement released an hour before midnight by Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura.

The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) and the Ministry of Education met, resulting in the guarantee being given to parents.

"With regard to the looming teachers strike occasioned by labor dispute between teachers' unions and the TSC (Teachers Service Commission), KESSHA in collaboration with the ministry of education and the TSC would wish to assure all the parents and the learners countrywide that the learner's welfare and well-being would be safeguarded while in the institutions of learning," read the notice in part.

The state advised parents to get their children ready for the start of the third term.

"Subsequently, parents are advised to prepare learners for third term school reopening starting 26 August 2024."

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The notice came amid confusion of the scheduled strike that was to start on Monday August 26 with the two unions of teachers giving different directives to their teachers concerning the strike.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), which is headed by Secretary General Collins Oyuu, on Sunday August 25, called off the strike that was scheduled to kick off the following day.

"In light of the latest developments, we direct our teachers to resume duty effective Monday, August 26, 2024."

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), on the other hand, insisted that the strike was still on.

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