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{
    "id": 1519650,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1519650/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 39,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kirinyaga County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Njeri Maina",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education regarding the ongoing funding crisis affecting students in institutions of higher learning across the country. On 20th December 2024, the High Court in Kenya Human Rights Commission & 3 others versus the Attorney General & 4 others (2024) declared the new higher education funding model unconstitutional, and an order of prohibition was issued which barred the implementation of the model until the Government complies with the Constitution and necessary legal requirements. Thereafter, the Ministry undertook to introduce a new tertiary institution funding model to address the matter. However, this is expected to be implemented later in the year. Despite the Government undertaking to revert to the old Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) model, there has been an apparent lack of commitment to the timely disbursement of funds to students. This contravenes the provisions of Article 43(1) of the Constitution which guarantees the right of every person to education. At present, thousands of students continuing with their studies face financial distress as they are unable to pay tuition fees, which has left them locked out of examinations. This has triggered unrest in universities across the country, with students staging protests and in other cases, lecturers boycotting examinations. It is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education on the following– 1. The total amount of funds disbursed by the National Treasury under the old Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) model, including specific dates for these disbursements. 2. The total number of students who have benefitted from the disbursed funds since the reversion. 3. Measures put in place to ensure timely and sufficient disbursement of funds to prevent future disruptions in learning. Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}