Chuka University students have threatened to paralyze learning over reports that the Ministry of Education intends to triple tuition fees.
The irate students said the proposal being fronted by Vice Chancellors, who complained over escalating cost of teaching and research, was inconsiderate especially owing to the harsh economic effects posed by Coronavirus.
Addressing journalists at the institution, they vowed to disrupt other operations at the University located in Tharaka Nithi should the government increase the charges to Sh48, 000 annually up from Sh16, 000.
Led by Council Chair Mr Boniface Limiri, the students said the government should instead reduce the fees to cushion the learners against the economic challenges as many parents had been rendered jobless with others forced to shut down their businesses.
Mr Limiri said students had not been involved before the decision to increase the charges was arrived at.
“How can the government think of increasing fees in the wake of a disease that has brought the global economy to its knees?” he posed.
Education CS George Magoha has maintained that the proposal emanated from Parliament and is yet to be subjected to discussions by the executive.
The student council Secretary General Mr Mathson Abiud asked MPs to drop the idea and come up with policies to ensure no single student is sent home or fails to sit for exams due to fee arrears in wake of Covid-19.
