The end of government funding for private universities may just be around the corner as the National Assembly resumes sittings today, November 5, 2024 for the Third Part of the Third Session following a two week working recess.
Top on the agenda are several Bills, including The Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 that proposes amendments to the Universities Act to improve governance and administration within universities, and the Higher Education Loans Board (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which seeks to amend the Higher Education Loans Board Act to improve access to higher education financing.
The Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to amend the Universities Act, No. 42 of 2012 to abolish funding of private universities using public funds and to bar the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) from placing students in private universities.
The purpose of the Bill is to safeguard public funds from misuse by private entities which have not been brought under the regulatory framework of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015.
Clause 2 of the Bill proposes to amend section 53(4) (b) of the principal Act to abolish the issuance of conditional grants to private universities.
Other bills to be discussed include the Land Control Bill, 2023 sponsored by Dr Wilberforce Oundo, which seeks to regulate land use.
The House is also expected to consider two Senate Bills: The Equalization Fund (Administration) Bill (Senate Bill No. 14 of 2023) and the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bill No. 37 of 2023).
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In addition, the House is also set to undertake a clause by clause consideration of the Kenya Drugs Authority Bill, 2022 sponsored by Endebess MP Dr Robert Pukose and the Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill, 2022 by Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo in a committee of the whole House.
Debate on a Motion by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie on the Establishment of a Science Museum is set to resume.
Other Motions that will be discussed in the House include a Motion by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba seeking the establishment of a national policy to Combat Disrespectful Childbirth Practices in Kenya, a motion on the need for comprehensive reform of education bursary schemes to ensure there is free basic education sponsored by Nairobi County MP Esther Passaris, and a motion ‘Formulation of a Regulatory Framework on Artificial Intelligence’ by Aldai MP Marianne Kitany.
The second report by the Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity on the Employment Diversity Audit in Public Institutions and a Motion by the Departmental Committee of Labour on its Consideration of Sessional Paper No. 5 of 2023 on the National Policy on Labour Migration will also be considered.
By Obegi Malack
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