By Eddah Waithaka
In a critical assessment of the recently unveiled higher education funding model, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has expressed deep concern about its impact on access to education.
In a statement released during the council’s 65th general assembly on August 23, church leaders expressed their dissatisfaction with what they called the system’s inequalities and injustices.
The General Assembly stated, “It is profoundly unfair to maintain a system that restrict education to the wealthy. The government must involve the public extensively to establish a framework that serves all eligible Kenyans. Additionally, there is an urgent need to reass the proposed funding model for university education.”
They said this after also urging the Ministry of Education to quickly address concerns raised about the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC).
Regarding scholarships, the members expressed their deep concern over the misallocation of public funds evident in the scholarship programs.
“We are convinced that the only reason these scholarships have been set up is to enable the officials to steal the money. We strongly recommend that all the bursaries and scholarships, which total close to KShs 100 billion, be collapsed into a tuition fund that will provide capitation so that we can have truly free education for all,” said the statement.
This General Assembly acknowledges that Kenyans across all counties are significantly affected by climate change, resulting in adverse health effects and heightened food insecurity.
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The assembly also addressed concerns regarding the government’s inadequate efforts to implement effective strategies for mitigation and adaptation, especially in the context of the serious of climate change.
“An increasing number of people are going to bed hungry and many have lost their livelihoods. We, therefore, call upon all county governments to expeditiously develop, enact and implement laws and policies to mitigate climate change in order to safeguard lives.”
The Council mentioned that policies should include strategies to comprehensively educate citizens on mitigation and adaptation to promote household food security.
This General Assembly has noted that in the last two months, more than 60 Kenyans have been Kenyans have been killed at the hands of the police and that the whereabouts of an unknown number remain unknown after being abducted by persons believed to be security agents.
“To address this issue, we demand that an independent commission is set up to investigate these killings and disappearances in a context where the victims and survivors will be free to give evidence.”
