If we are not careful, public universities will die- MPs summon education CS over funding.
Legislators have expressed their concern over the recent remarks, the Education cabinet secretary, Ezekiel Machogu made over public university funding.
The members of parliament said that public universities are barely surviving to keep their heads above the water.
MPs stated,”In the recent past, public universities have been struggling to survive as they are unable to honour statutory remittances and payment of wages and debts due to banks, contractors and suppliers.”
They stated that public tertiary institutions combined owes a total of Sh56.1 billion and the figure will keep rising if nothing is done.
KUPPET chairman stated that if no action is done very soon, Kenyans will witness closure of public universities in less than two years.
KUPPET stated,”Unless we take care of it, it will finally collapse and I think we do not have a lot of time, maybe in two years there will be really a great challenge.”
“If we are not careful, public universities will die. Parliament is almost saying we are helpless. Very soon all the institutions will close and Kenya will be a laughing stalk,” Pkosing expressed.
Pkosing added that the National Assembly needs to move with speed and talk to the education ministry concerning the financial matters.
Pkosing stated,”We need to take these issues seriously and call the ministers for Education and Finance here and let Parliament address the issue.”
This concerns come after a fee hike was witnessed in the University of Nairobi, and other universities such as Egerton, are unable to pay their workers.
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