Category: Education

Kenya:Universities staff to go on strike Monday after talks collapse

The reopening of public universities across the country could be disrupted following the collapse of talks between the government and unions representing lecturers and non-teaching staff.

The Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels, Education Health Institutions and Allied workers (KUDHEHIA), the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) and University Academic Staff Union (UASU) on Friday evening failed to agree with the government to suspend the strike.

The union representatives vowed to boycott work beginning January 8 after the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) failed to offer a counter-proposal for their 2013-2017 collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

KUDHEHIA Secretary-General Albert Njeru said the unions have ran out of patience, adding that the government has refused to raise their salaries since 2010.

‘PUBLIC-RELATIONS GIMMICKS’

“We are very disappointed with the IPUCCF for doing nothing about the proposal we gave them on December 2012 for the 2013-2017 agreement,” said Mr Njeru.

UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga, on the other hand, accused IPUCCF chairman Ratemo Michieka of disregarding the CBA by engaging the unions in public-relations gimmicks.

Dr Wasonga said the government is only trying to buy time because the CBA for 2013-2017 will expire in five months’ time.

“We will go on strike even if it is for a whole year until the government takes us seriously,” said Dr Wasonga.

KUSU Secretary-General Charles Mukhwaya also challenged Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to show leadership by ensuring that the crisis is averted.

The unions cautioned continuing university students not to report to campuses for classes and parents to rethink admission plans for their children, saying the strike would disrupt learning.

January 7, 2017
Uganda:Lecture rooms empty as Makerere students report

When this reporter visited the university this morning, all the lecturer rooms and halls of residences were open but there were no students.

Students of Makerere University have started reporting to their halls of residence following management’s announcement that the institution re-opens today and lectures resume immediately.

When this reporter visited the university this morning, the administrative offices, lecture rooms and halls of residence were open but only a handful of students have reported.

Some halls of residence and lecture rooms were just being cleaned.

Speaking to this reporter, the vice chancellor Prof John Dumba Ssentamu said “the university is functioning and lecturers are ready to commence teaching.”
He also urged students to clear their tuition as soon as possible to avoid missing exams.

January 2, 2017
President Kenyatta says students will use personal identification numbers

All learners countrywide will from next year be assigned unique personal numbers to track their academic progress, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said.

“The Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) should cease the use of index numbers and instead ensure all registered examination candidates have unique personal identifiers (UPIs) in student registration numbers (SRNs),” said President Kenyatta on the day Education CS Fred Matiang’i released the results of this year’s Form Four examinations.

The President said the learners would use the personal identification number throughout their school life. He gave the directive after receiving a comprehensive report on the 2016 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination from the Ministry of Education and Knec officials before the results were released in at Shimo La Tewa School in Mombasa.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the use of a personal number would help to manage data in the education sector.

The ministry has been experiencing difficulties knowing the exact number of students in schools with different agencies giving conflicting figures.

Some school heads have also been accused of conspiring to steal government resources by giving inflated figures to secure more funding since capitation is based on the number of learners in schools.

This year, the Education ministry launched investigations into allegations that some schools were inflating enrolment figures to unduly benefit from the free education allocations.

Auditor-General Edward Ouko’s report on the ministry’s financial statements for the 2013/2014 financial year says that the government had lost millions of shillings in capitation funds in public schools through inflated enrolment figures.

INFLATED ENROLMENT NUMBERS

Counties that were identified among those that had inflated enrolment numbers were Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Machakos.

Nationally, enrolment in secondary schools rose from 1.9 million in 2012 to 2.3 million this year, while in primary schools, it went up from 9.8 million to 10.2 million over the same period.

This financial year, Sh32.9 billion has been set aside to cater for students in secondary schools, while Sh14 billion will support pupils in public primary schools.

The government provides Sh1,420 for a pupil in a public primary school every year, while a student in a public secondary school gets Sh12,870.

The Basic Education Statistical Booklet (2014) report returned a glaring mismatch of figures sent to the Ministry of Education against actual numbers based on census.

On Thursday, Dr Matiang’i said the government was committed to paying examination fees for candidates sitting the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and KCSE examinations in schools that receive its funding.

REGISTERING ‘GHOST’ CANDIDATES

“The government has now extended this facility to all candidates who will be sitting examinations in private schools,” he said.

Dr Matiang’i warned schools against registering “ghost” candidates with the intention of inflating their candidature to the levels that Knec requires of an examination centre. He also announced that preparations for the 2017 national examinations calendar had started in earnest.

“We have learnt many lessons from the first year of implementing the new tough exam reforms. We plan to build on the successes we made and address the challenges learnt to ensure that we do better next year,” said Dr Matiang’i.

He said that the ministry had already released the guidelines on the 2017 academic calendar, which would be strictly enforced.

“We have still provided for an examination season, a period when schools will be closed to allow us to concentrate on exam administration. This worked well for us and we hope we can do better next year,” he said.

December 29, 2016
Mahatma Gandhi University Rwanda becomes the first affiliate member from Rwanda of UNCTAD

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has announced the first affiliate member in Rwanda and the 132nd Virtual Institute member, Mahatma Gandhi University Rwanda (MGU Rwanda).

MGU Rwanda was established in 2014 and has a history of research and training with its foundation institution in India and facilitation centers worldwide. The institutional mission of the university is to transform the Rwandan citizen into skilled humans, able to advance the socio-economic development of the country by ensuring equitable access to quality education focusing on combating illiteracy, promoting information technology, and stimulating critical thinking.

MGU offers a variety of diploma, undergraduate and graduate degrees in management, commerce, international relations, economics, finance, and public administration. Current research conducted by students includes micro-finance in development, women entrepreneurs, regional integration, and the impact colonization heritage has on local development. Additionally, MGU recently launched the Center for Training and Research to provide a venue for innovative research and analysis that contributes to the sustainable development of the country.

The cooperation between MGU and the Virtual Institute will be coordinated by Dr. Vince Sinining (provost@mgu.ac.rw). Dr. SinIning, Vice Chancellor and Provost, currently serves as Senior Advisor on Education and Sustainable Development to select Permanent Missions to the United Nations. His background as a senior fellow at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, and research on sustainable development and Small Island Developing States plays an essential role in the development of MGU’s research and training. He will be supported by Dr. Varun Gupta (operations@mgu.ac.rw), Director of MGU.

Dr. Rajan Chopra, Chancellor and Founder of the University has allocated his personal funds on the development and improvement of the learning modules, online resources, and the use of ICT in the effective delivery of teaching in all of MGUR’s online programs. The University launched last December 1, volumes of new ICT textbooks and learning modules. Aside from MGU Rwanda, Dr. Chopra has established the Mahatma Gandhi Universe Institute (www.ddit-mgui.com), Vidya Skills Development Division (www.cews.in), VCampus California, USA (www.vcampusglobal.com), and Vlearn Inspired Learning, Nevada USA (www.vlearninspired.com).

The University hopes to strengthen its training and research programs through its VI membership. It anticipates learning from members on their best practices and academic curricular ideas related to Trade and Investment. The expectation is that VI membership will provide the university with access to educational and research resources, as well as opportunities for collaborative research and conferences.

The profile of the University, as well as the CVs of participating academics, will shortly be posted on the Vi website http://vi.unctad.org (Members, Institutional Members, Affiliate University Members) and to the MGU website http://mgu.ac.rw/

December 26, 2016
Museveni officially re-opens Makerere University

President Museveni has today officially re-opened Makerere University after two months of closure.

President Museveni has today officially re-opened Makerere University after two months of closure.

The public university was closed by Mr Museveni on November 1 following the strike of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA). The President has through the University Council Chairman, Dr Charles Wana-Etyem, officially opened the university.

According to Dr Wana-Etyem, President Museveni having satisfied himself with the patriotic act of members of MUASA who agreed to resume teaching, has directed the council to take immediate steps to re-open the university.

“I am therefore, on behalf of the council, announcing the opening of Makerere University with immediate effect,” Wana-Etyem said at a press conference addressed by himself alone at the Main Administration building.

He said students will return for the continuation of the first semester on January 2, 2017 and they are expected to spend seven weeks at the university before the semester closes.
“Students will be at the university for about seven weeks and they will have one week of residential break before they resume their second semester for the academic year,” he said, adding that lecturers can now access their offices, beginning Monday next week.

“Arrangements have been made to ensure that students will not lose any more time as a result of the closure of the university,” Wana Etyem said. He added that all marks for the students expected to graduate in March should be submitted by lecturers not later than January 13. He said all university staff have been paid their salaries for the months of November and December and their incentives for one month.

All students are expected to comply with the tuition policy which requires them to complete payment of all fees by the 12th week which falls on the January 16, 2017. He added that the visitation committee appointed by President Museveni will carry out its duties without hindrances after members of MUASA unconditionally suspended their strike on December 19.

At the same time, he revealed that the auditor-general is expected to audit the operations and financial status of the institution for the last three years.

December 25, 2016
Lecture-room crowding caused by poor time, infrastructure management-Minister Musafiri

The Minister of Education, Dr. Musafiri Papias Malimba has said that overcrowding at higher learning institutions and public universities emanates from poor organization of courses, ordering students’ exposure to lecturers for 80% time the course is supposed to last and relenting in the implementation of government’s program of embracing technology in education.

Minister Musafiri made the observations yesterday in a discussion with Rwanda’s Senate Commission in charge of Social Welfare and Human Rights on problems that emerged in the assessment conducted to identify the role of universities in fast-tracking national development.

The president of Senate Commission in charge of Social Welfare and Human Rights, Galican Niyongana said that the assessment found the problem of overcrowding in higher learning institutions and universities along with inadequacy of materials, inadequate financial means in carrying out research and shortage of school curricula for vocational courses among others.

Commenting on the matter of overcrowding, Minister Musafiri explained that the number of students is not worrying rather the matter is self inflicted by schools.

“The kind of worrying overcrowding is the large number of students outnumbering needed equipments in the laboratory. This is where we need to put much effort and government of Rwanda will not invest in constructing more buildings at the University of Rwanda because even existing buildings are not exploited at 70%,”he said.

Senator Mukankusi Perrine said that they once found a lecture attended by 200 or 300 students and even more but Minister Musafiri said “The University inflicts in itself such problems. If we use properly existing infrastructures, it can be possible to teach students not beyond 80 in one class. However it will be possible if we change our thinking whether among lecturers, students or management.”

“Go and supervise the program under which courses are offered at the University of Rwanda. You will find courses starting at 8:00 hours and the last hour of closing courses is 16:00 hours. Since then they close from such hours till the next day. In such hours infrastructures are not exploited,” said Musafiri.

He explained that a class of 210 students can be divided into three groups and extend learning hours to the night and even prolong learning days other than closing on Friday.

He said that nowadays the period of studies takes at least 30 out 50 weeks of the year and wondered what is done during the remaining 20 weeks as teachers get their salaries.

Relenting the implementation of technology in education is also another problem.The government of Rwanda had vowed in April 2016 that 60% of courses should be delivered through the use of ICT. Doing so is expected to reduce the overcrowding in class since a student with internet connectivity can learn from elsewhere without necessarily getting to the lecture theater.

December 23, 2016
Minister Nyirasafari urges female learners on vocational skills

The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), Esperance Nyirasafari has advised girls to make a good use of government program of taking up vocational training for skills that will enable them create own jobs.

She gave the advice yesterday during the conclusion of a two-week campaign dubbed ‘TVET Girl mu myuga turashoboye’ aimed at encouraging girls to attend vocational trainings and calling upon parents to moving away from the belief that a girl child shouldn’t venture into vocational training.

The government targets to increase by three-fold the number of girls and women with vocational skills by 2020.

Statistics indicate that only 17% of women and girls study Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) while those attending vocational skills trainings are 42%.

During the campaign, girls who have already earned vocational skills and practicing, toured the country mobilizing their peers to follow suit and encouraging parents to encourage girls to attend TVET to foster job creation and innovations.

“Your government has all possible programs meant to support you. Don’t neglect any profession .It will keep you away from falling under temptations and enable you make earnings other than waiting for handouts,” she said.

The State Minister in Charge of TVET at the Ministry of Education, Olivier Rwamukwaya said that there is still a gap of girls in TVET schools and at the labour market.

He urged girls to consider vocational skills as a path towards job creation.

One of the TVET female students from IPRC West, Marie Josee Umuhoza a said the mobilization will help attract more female learners into the profession.

December 14, 2016
Makerere lecturers agree to call off strike

During the meeting, MUASA leaders accepted to receive arrears of one month incentive that was initially offered by the council before the university was closed.

Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) executive has finally reached a compromise with Makerere University Council to call off their sit down strike. The decision was reached in a heated meeting held from 4 to 9pm on Tuesday in the senate conference hall involving the staff representative, Makerere University council and management.

During the meeting, MUASA leaders accepted to receive arrears of one month incentive that was initially offered by the council before the university was closed. In a statement to staff issued at around 9pm, Mr Deus Muhwezi Kamunyu, the MUASA Publicist, said they will hold an emergency general assembly on Thursday December 15 at Makerere University to deliberate on the agreed position by their executive.

“Colleagues, Consultations with Makerere University Council and Management this evening has reached the following positions. One month incentive arrear to be paid immediately, the other remaining 4 months to be paid before end of June 2017 starting from Feb, 2017 and discussions on incentive from July 2016 onwards to resume as soon as possible,” read Kamunyu’s text message to staff.

Adding that; “consultations with Government over the current financial state of the University to resume immediately in a participatory manner led by the Council. In light of the above outcome, we have agreed to call an Emergency General Assembly of our members on Thursday, 15 Dec, 2016 at 2pm.” The over Shs32bn staffs unpaid incentive arrears led to both staff and students strikes that provoked President Museveni (the visitor) to indefinitely close the university.

Makerere University academic staff laid down their tools in late October to protest none payment of their salary incentives for the past 8 months to the tune of Shillings 32 billion. As a result, president, Yoweri Museveni ordered the indefinite closure of Makerere University on November 01, 2016 following the failed negotiations between the university council, management and lecturers.

Both the staff and students were ordered to vacate the university. Staff members were also ordered to surrender all university property including cars and keys to their offices. They were also barred from any travel to represent the university.

December 14, 2016
Children to be stirred into reading as year ends

Under their new organization, Rwanda Children Book Forum, Rwandan publishers and booksellers have organized the First Christmas celebration with Rwandan children with the theme: “A book is an awesome Christmas & New Year’s gift.”

This Christmas and New Year Children’s Book Fair comes as one of the ways to create a point of access for children’s books.

One of the pillars of Rwanda’s Vision 2020 is to build a knowledge based economy. It’s in this regard that Rwandan book publishers and book sellers have worked tirelessly to avail child appropriate books within the local context.

We would like to encourage Rwandans to come and bring their children to the first Christmas Book Fair on Friday, 9th and Saturday, 10th December 2016 and pick a gift for a child in your life.

The display profile of the book fair covers: All children’s books, text books for schools and colleges, children’s literature, fiction and non-fiction books, etc.

To make the events more meaningful, several ancillary activities such as face painting, storytelling and gift giving to children, which will also lead to an Award Function due in 2017.

Spending money on a book is investing in your child. Come one, Come all. Buy a book for a child , read a book for a child, let us celebrate Christmas while reading with our children.

The fair will open from 08:00 am to 7.00 p.m. for all our visitors at the Kigali Car Free Zone.

December 6, 2016
Tanzania:Private firms banned from printing books

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has banned private companies from publishing textbooks as one of the measures to ensure provision of quality education in the country.

The Premier was speaking to Arusha City Council’s teachers during his ongoing working visit in the region. He said the government has instructed Tanzania Education Authority (TEA) to supervise the publishing of all books that are used in schools in the country.

He said apart from ensuring quality education, the government also aims at enabling each student to use his/her own book in the classroom.

“Our aim is to ensure there are specific books for specific subjects and each student must use his/her own book during class sessions,” he said.

The Prime Minister said different people have been publishing textbooks without adhering to given standards and that there have been many complaints due to poor quality and many mistakes.

December 3, 2016