Uzima University Students threaten to strike over Fees increment

Kisumu,

Thursday, September 7, 2023,

KNA by Elsie Adhiambo

Medical students from Uzima University, Kisumu County have protested against the decision by the institution to increase tuition fees from Sh79,000 to Sh 300,000.

The University Students Union President Ferdinand Juma termed the move as retrogressive and would impede them from attaining their academic dreams.

"The government has not disbursed the capitation fee to the institution since last year, now this has led to fee increment. The students are hungry and furious and they want their plea to be heard by the government. Right now, we can't go to class and continue with our learning," Juma stated during a press briefing at the university premises on Wednesday.

The students have insisted that if their plea is not be heard they will call for a meeting by Sunday, September, 9 and stage a peaceful protest on Monday.

"Did we commit a crime by passing our examination and enrolling at Uzima University? Why does the institution still accept government-sponsored students when there are no funds being disbursed to the university?" the furious students asked.

They pleaded with the MPs to review their decision and unlock funding for the university.

Juma revealed that the majority of the students come from humble background and their families cannot afford to raise the money that has been tripled by the institution.

Uzima University, a private institution has 80% government-sponsored students. However, Members of Parliament had rejected the Sh250 million proposal for additional funding to the facility to plug its capitation deficit hole, terming the request as unjustified.

The move has forced the university to force the students to pay the levies leading to an instant fee increment.

MPs, however, questioned the rationale for increasing the budget to cater for students, who had already completed their studies at the institution. According to the legislatures, the allocation was unjustified given that other universities also have pending bills.

Dr Joseph Okal the Deputy vice-chancellor in charge of administration and finance said the fee increment was not their wish but the university was pushed to the wall. 

“The government only disbursed the fund to the government-sponsored students in the 2016 and 2017 academic year. When the sponsor which is the government doesn't pay the money, the students are forced to do so,” clarified Dr Okal.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor added, "The Ministry of Education in its presentation to parliament noted that Uzima University requested additional funding of Sh607.8 million but Treasury only approved Sh250 million in the Financial Year 2023/2024, which they have not also disbursed.”

Courtesy; KNA