A Call for Timely Communication and Accountability
The Ministry of Education, led by Prof. Ezekiel Machogu, issued a press release on November 3, indicating the release of loans for students in universities and TVET Institutions.
This is a source of joy and a feeling of relief to the many first year students in the afore-mentioned institutions. At least one may think so. But it isn’t the case.
Despite being allocated a lion’s share in the budget for the 2023/2024 financial year, that saw them pocket 628.6 billion shillings, the Ministry of Education has tended to delay when it comes to releasing funds to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
As a result of this, many students are left stranded when examination periods approach across different institutions.
Consequently, the students take to the streets, as it was the case with Multimedia University, a couple of weeks back. And just recently, on November 2, Machakos University students let their frustrations know the Ministry of Education. This prompted an immediate action by the ministry. They went ahead and issued a press release to cool down the rising temper in university students.
It is worth stating that various student leaders had issued ultimatums to the government a couple of days back, failure to which, they would have conducted a mother of all demonstrations country-wide.
And as they simply put it, “It is either the comrades’ way or the highway.”
This reluctance by the Ministry of Education rings a bell. Does it mean that without demos, or threats of the same, no-one can take action?
We need to address the elephant in the room.
Take a moment of thought, even if the processing of the loans is not complete, please make an attempt to communicate I am sure many can understand.
A problem shared is half solved.
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