By Eric Barasa and Isaac Wambua
Learning remains paralyzed in public universities as the lecturer's strike enters its third week. A recent meeting convened by the National Assembly's Education Committee aimed at resolving the strike ended in a deadlock for the second time.
The stalemate occurred when the Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) failed to present evidence that the government had allocated funds to pay the lecturers. During an earlier meeting on November 5, 2024, the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) had asked the employer to confirm that the government had provided KSh 4.3 billion for lecturers' salaries. However, neither the Ministry of Education nor the National Treasury produced any documentation proving this allocation, despite the government’s promise to resolve the crisis by next week.
As discussions between lecturers and university administrations drag on, students remain the most affected group. With only six weeks left before the Christmas holiday, students are concerned about whether lecturers will have enough time to catch up on the syllabus and administer end-of-semester exams. Courses requiring extensive theoretical and practical knowledge—such as engineering, nursing, and biomedical sciences—face particular challenges, as they need more interactive sessions with lecturers than can be easily compensated.
The strike has pushed some students to return home due to financial constraints and the lack of academic activity. One student from Chuka University shared, "I’m really confused about what to do at the moment. I’m worried about using resources here yet doing nothing productive. Most of my coursemates have left, so there’s no more engagement. I urge the government to resolve this quickly or allow students to go home until the situation is settled."
The ongoing strike has raised tensions at various universities, with some graduates fearing the disruption could interfere with scheduled graduation ceremonies. Undergraduates also worry that an altered timetable and compressed studies could impact their next semester and long holiday. Additionally, lecturers face job insecurity; at Moi University, some department heads have already been dismissed, with others reportedly facing similar threats if they do not return to work.
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