By Our Reporter
The President has said the government will neither privatize public universities nor increase tuition fees.
He spoke on Wednesday in a speech read on his behalf by Education Cabinet Secretary, (CS) Ezekiel Machogu during the University of Kabianga 10th anniversary celebrations and its endowment fund drive at Kabianga, Kericho County.
President Ruto maintained that his administration will continue to support public universities by enhancing governing policy structures and allocation of Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans for students to ensure access to university education.
He pointed out the need to re-engineer Universities in line with the demands of global trends to create global citizens.
“Our universities must adapt the posture of [the] 21st century and be at the forefront on its vital role in integrating research and innovation in areas of national development. Tertiary institutions should work on the regional integration agenda aimed at transforming the African continent to a global powerhouse,” he said.
The President commended the university for the advanced initiatives through science and technology in the manufacturing, value addition, commercial enterprises and innovative health technology for the Diary App for expectant mothers to keep track of their clinic visits.
He added that the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) will provide recommendations that will address the current financial and management challenges facing the public universities.
During the function, CS Machogu said 17.8 million books have already been distributed to public Junior Secondary Schools (JSSs) across the country and reaffirmed that the capitation monies will be disbursed as soon as they receive all data on enrollment of all JSS learners.
On JSS infrastructure, Machogu said the Ministry of Education through World Bank funding with will construct 40% of integrated labs and 60% to be done by the MPs through NG-CDF funds.
He said the national government is working hand in hand with Governors to improve the quality of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to match international standards.
At the same time, the CS led the university’s fund drive raising over Ksh 7.5 million to cater for scholarships to bright but needy students who are continuing and those joining.
Present during the celebrations were Kericho County Governor Dr. Erick Mutai, Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, University of Kabianga Vice Chancellor Prof. Wilson Ngeno, University Council among other government officials.
