Following the statement issued by the Ministry of Education through the cabinet secretary Professor George Magoha earlier this week on resumption of univerties, TTCs and TVETS, Kenya Universities Students Organization (KUSO) through their president Anthony Manyara on Thursday October 2, released a press statement on their demands for effective resumption of learning in the above mentioned institutions. In the statements, the resilient president emphasized on the importance and need to consider student’s welfare especially the financial aspect amid the current nature of the economy due to COVID-19.
In his statement, Manyara said the following:
Pursuant to the presidential directives issued on 28th September 2020 and further directives by the Ministry of Education that all universities, teacher training colleges and TVETS reopen on October 5th 2020, we wish to make the following clear:
Foremost, we thank His Excellency, the president, for the wisdom and gallant spirit in leading covid-19 combative mechanism and instituting containment measures. Indeed, he embodies the true spirit of a statesman and a leader. As a country, however, we must not loosen the belt even as we adjust to the new normal.
Following deliberate and purposive consultation with other stakeholders and policymakers, we consider the Ministry’s decision as timely and compelling. We draw widely upon the counsel and analysis given by Economics Scholar Panel in the course of the evolution of the crisis hitherto.
It is shared wisdom with other think-tanks, the World Bank, and the Institute of Economic Affairs that resilience within Sub-Saharan Africa region significantly contributed to lower r0 (r- zero). The challenges we face as a country are more real than imagined. Nevertheless, education cannot wait. We, therefore, must align our endeavors with educational goals of Africa Agenda 2063 and SDGs on quality, timely, instrumental and fulfilling education in the face of science, technology, and innovation.
There are critical issues however, which the Ministry must urgently and religiously address:
- Ensure the institutional capacity in universities, TTCs, and TVETs continuously adhere to 1.5 meters social distancing rule;
- 2. Provide financial assistance to these institutions to enable them employ more lecturers and tutorial fellows so as to maintain the lecturer-students ratio within Covid19 protocols;
- 3. The government should provide free certified, standard nose masks and hand
sanitizers for students;
- 4. Provide technological assistance to the institutions in order to ensure more access to e-libraries and less paper interactions in teaching;
- 5. The Ministry to give reasonable notice to resumption of classes to students of
the other years of study to avoid ambushing leaners, their parents and even universities
To address these issues, it behooves Prof. George Magoha to integrate best global experience into local developments, acknowledging the need for sincere consultation informed by values of honesty, integrity and truth as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
Given the dynamics pitying institutions of higher learning, the Cabinet Secretary should avoid flip-flopping and guillotining other key players just to appear smart. This necessitates the pursuit for a common understanding guided by a reexamination of the data and facts at hand. As such:
We understand that there can be no growth without change. We, therefore, urge all stakeholders to adapt to the new normal. We further urge the Ministry of Health to ensure learning institutions remain livable and conducive for the congregation of minds. The Ministry, thus, has a duty to ensure the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being of students, lecturers, and other staff is to such standards as to enhance self-esteem and the enjoyment of learning. That said, it is necessary that a rapid response mechanism be put in place even as the country works towards a reskilling revolution.
We have been duly informed of some private developers taking advantage of the current crisis to squeeze comrades dry through hefty rents. This is exploitative and stifles one’s capacity to enjoy various capabilities to function as a normal human being in a new normal. It further goes against the president’s ambitious affordable housing plan as enshrined within the Big Four Agenda. We, therefore, call upon landlords to work within the tenets of the Constitution and as patriots of this land, consider the welfare of students.
After careful palaver and considerations with relevant and responsible authorities, KUSO is of the opinion that re-opening for other classes be done in cohorts.
In the event that universities, TTCs and TVETs reopen as scheduled, disbursement of HELB student loan must be done in a timely fashion to create an enabling innovative environment for students. This will go a long way in cushioning students against pangs of financial distress brought about by covid-19 pandemic with a human face. We must not forget that the crisis has near crippled students.