By Wasike Elvis
University staff and students from Uasin Gishu County have urged the Government through the Ministry of Education not to reduce HELB funds.
Speaking to the press in Eldoret town recently, they said the move is uncalled for and will lead many students to abandon their education.
“As students leaders from Uasin Gishu Gishu County we are disappointed by the move by the Ministry of Education to reduce HELB loans due to the effects of coronavirus.This move is ill intentioned since most students will leave their education due to lack of fees,” Moi University student leader Albert Maloba said.
This comes after HELB reduced the average funding per student in universities to Sh38,000, down from the previous Sh45,000 attributing the reduction to the effects of coronavirus.
“How will we sustain ourselves in the university since we depend on the HELB for our upkeep, pocket money, paying fees and to pay rent,” Dorcas Cherop from the University of Eldoret said.
They called on the CS of Education George Magoha to intervene before things run out of hand.
“We are calling on the CS of Education to stop this move since it will largely affect many students. Why is the government putting priority on other projects while ignoring the education sector especially university students?,” Sharon Kiptoo from Moi University said.
They said if the government will not heed their call they will conduct a mother of all demonstrations, adding they cannot keep mum while the lives of their comrades are at stake.
“As university students, we are giving the government through the Ministry of Education until Monday next week to settle the matter once and for all failure to which together with parents and other stakeholders we will conduct a mother of all strikes in Eldoret town until our problems are heard,” Julius Ndugu University of Eldoret student leader added.
