Govt Advised To Stop Admitting Government-Sponsored Students To Private Universities
Hillary Barchok, the governor of Bomet, has opposed a policy allowing government-sponsored students to attend private universities and colleges, arguing that it is financially untenable.
Barchok stated that the policy is to blame for the institutions’ financial troubles, stating that the legislation’s proponents intend to ‘destroy’ public colleges and urging its reversal.
“Private universities should receive students who are able to sponsor themselves and they should position themselves to attract those students by offering competitive and marketable courses; and should never rely on government,” said Barchok.
Barchok said at an education reform forum in Kericho that the policy must be changed right away if public universities are to last for the next ten years, and he promised to work for the same thing.
The governor stressed that the cash crunch affecting public educational institutions was alarming and that the government must act swiftly to remedy the situation.
During a seminar on education reforms in Kericho, Dr. Barchok said that the policy must be changed right away if public universities are to last for the next ten years, and he promised to work for the same thing.
The governor warned that the cash shortage affecting public educational institutions was alarming and that the government must act swiftly to remedy the situation.
“It’s time we save the situation before it gets out of hand,” he said, noting that it had turned into a competition for numbers, not quality.
Dr. Barchok stated that the Commission for University Education (CUE) had lost its way in terms of quality control by neglecting to protect public universities so that private institutions might utilize them as quality education benchmarks.
“The government should rethink posting students to private universities. They are encouraging commercialisation of education at the expense of quality,” he insisted.
His feelings stem from the Universities Fund’s request for a Sh2.4 billion rescue from the World Bank due to a cash shortage.
Gov’t To Sponsor College Festivals To Promote Arts
President William Ruto has stated that the government will sponsor all future Kenya Universities Performing Arts Association (KUPAA) festivals.
In a speech read by Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba at the conclusion of the Kupaa festival at Jaramogi University on Sunday, President Ruto stated that the State Department of University Education and Research will provide financial support and incentives for artistic activities.
Since its founding in 2018, the cash-strapped KUPAA has always struggled to stage annual festivals, so the President’s statement is a great relief.
President Ruto added that his government, through the Department of Arts, will collaborate closely with major creative industry partners to address the issues encountered by artists.
The head of state stated that the government is dedicated to expanding the creative industries, especially the protection of free speech and intellectual property.
He urged government agencies such as the Kenya Film Classification Board, Kenya Film Commission, and Kenya Corporate Board to fulfill their responsibilities in protecting intellectual property and promoting artistic talent.
The President stated that his administration intends to integrate the creative sector into Brand Kenya and commercial diplomacy, including the appointment of accomplished artists as Kenyan cultural ambassadors.
The Head of State lauded KUPAA for organizing a student-centered festival with the subject “Shaping social development via performing arts,” which, he added, aligns with the government’s goal of economic empowerment of youth through arts and sports.
CS Namwamba stated that the government places a high value on the creative industry and intends to make it a major employer in the nation.
He said that through his Ministry, the government will construct a one-stop-shop center of excellence at a higher education institution that will identify, foster, and cultivate creative minds in the country.
Amb. Simon Nabukwesi, departing PS in the State Department of University Education, attended the event. He stated that theatre and artistic activities are crucial to positively change the society through the festival’s lessons, and he encouraged members of the society to attend such events.
Nabukwesi, on the other hand, urged the organizers of KUPAA to continue raising the bar for future events, saying that the festival allows institutions to compete with one another and serve as role models in the community.
Prof. Stephen Agong, vice chancellor of JOOST, praised the organisers and partners, including the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, for the success of the ten-day event, which brought together more than thirty private and public universities.
Although Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University is a science-based university, it has students in the creative arts, which is essential for the progress and well-being of society, he recognised the transformative power of the arts.
During the event, more than 2,000 performing artists delivered 228 pieces at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
