From left Boaz Waruku, Earnest Cornel and David Karani
As students prepare to return to school tomorrow, uncertainty looms over their educational prospects due to a flawed funding model and an impending teachers’ strike. Earnest Cornel, a communications officer at the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), voiced concerns about the current situation: “The new education funding model has already locked thousands of learners out of quality education, and the impending teachers’ strike threatens to worsen the situation.”
The introduction of the Variable Scholarship and Loan Funding (VSLF) model on May 3, 2023, has intensified inequalities within the education system. This model requires students to apply individually for loans and scholarships, but eligibility is determined by a controversial Means Testing Instrument (MIT) that many experts criticize for lacking a scientific basis. As a result, numerous students, particularly those under 18, have been excluded from financial assistance.
Despite the government’s acknowledgment of the issue, which includes urging students to report to universities and colleges without upfront payments, many students are still left vulnerable. Current university policies demand partial fee payments for course registration, leaving many unable to attend classes—a situation that has already led to numerous dropouts in previous years.
In response to these systemic challenges, the Elimu Bora Working Group, KHRC, and the Students’ Caucus filed legal action on October 13, 2023, to contest the unjust funding model. However, bureaucratic delays have postponed the hearing, now scheduled for November—more than a year since the petition was filed. Advocacy groups are calling for expedited hearings, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these critical issues.
David Karani, a member of Elimu Bora, stated, “It is the government’s responsibility to honor Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and prevent this crisis. The ball is in the government’s court to meet the teachers’ demands and ensure that learning continues uninterrupted.”
The looming teachers’ strike, compounded by disruptions from floods earlier in the year, threatens to further hinder educational continuity.
“We are advocating for the consolidation of bursaries and the establishment of a National Education Fund to centralize education sector funding. We believe that with proper governance, this fund could ensure that no Kenyan family has to bear the financial burden of education,” he added
As the first day of school approaches, the urgency for a viable solution has never been greater. The future of thousands of students hangs in the balance, as both systemic funding failures and potential strikes threaten to derail their educational aspirations.