๐๐ง๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐๐๐๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฏโ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐.๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐ฅ
The government has announced that university studies are set to resume nationwide following a decision to pay lecturers Sh9.7 billion, resolving a long-standing dispute.
Speaking at the 13th Chuka University graduation ceremony in Tharaka Nithi County, Higher Education and Research PS Dr. Beatrice Inyangala confirmed that talks with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) were progressing, with a return-to-work formula expected to be finalised by the weekend.
โWe had talks with the union. We have accepted their Sh9.7 billion offer to settle their Collective Bargaining Agreements. A return-to-work formula is currently in discussions, and we hope to finalise the talks by this weekend and have the lecturers return to work immediately,โ Dr. Inyangala said.
Despite the ongoing nationwide lecturersโ strike, 18 universities continued to offer lessons and stand by students. Dr. Inyangala commended institutions like Chuka University for maintaining academic programmes during the disruption, ensuring students could progress in their studies.
โThe lecturersโ national industrial action has posed a significant challenge to universities across the country, disrupting academic programmes and creating uncertainty for students and staff. 18 universities stood firmly with the students and shared our vision of continuing teaching and learning to enable students to go through their studies according to their academic programmes. One of the institutions is Chuka University, which created a win-win environment with its lecturers,โ she emphasized.
The PS highlighted that the new student-centred university funding model, introduced by President William Ruto, aligns with the Kenya Kwanza national development agenda, ensuring better access to higher education.
Chuka University Vice Chancellor Prof. Henry Mutembei also shared the institutionโs progress in diversifying its revenue streams, noting that the university had secured over Sh170 million in research funding for the 2023-2024 academic year. He also proudly announced the universityโs improved Webometrics ranking, climbing from 37th to 24th place.
โI am happy to note our university is on an upward trajectory following the recent university webometrics ranking, where it was ranked at position 24 up from 37 in the previous year. This achievement is attributed to our collective efforts through robust web presence, visibility and transparency, and increased research activities,โ he said.
The governmentโs commitment to resuming university studies and supporting education reform is part of ongoing efforts to improve access to and affordability of education for all.
