Kilifi,KENYA:Fear is mounting among intellectuals in KIlifi County as the number of University drop outs is increasing abnormally.
The number is said to have surpassed that of the continuing students following lack of fees.
On Friday a total of 158 drop out universities converged to meet with Ganze Member of Parliament Teddy Mwambire to discuss the way forward of their higher education.
Speaking during the meeting held in Ganze, Fikirini Jacobs, Chairman of the University students Union, Kilifi County said the situation is worrying and if not dealt with immediately the future of the County is in tatters.
“I am very much shocked by the worrying situation of higher education in this area,” Jacobs said.
“We are worried that the number of University students drop outs is increasing every now and then. This is really worrying and the future is deteriorating at a high speed. Action has to be taken immediately,” he added.
Esther Nzaro, a master’s degree student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology said she had to defer following lack of fees.
She said she had taken a loan to fund her education but she stalled her studies as she could not get fees after the elapse of the loan she was servicing.
“Immediately I got the admission letter I had no fees so I had to go back to the university to differ,” Esther said.
“I had secured a loan of Kshs. 500,000 for course work and I was supposed to pay it in six months because my first degree was parallel,” she added.
Another, Mercy Kadzo, a student of Presbyterian University pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education, said she even had to work at Ganze Girls Secondary school as a watch lady after dropping out from the university.
“Life has been tough to me, I had to work at Ganze Girls for six years,” Kadzo said.
“Later on I had to differ because I could not raise fees, “she said.
However Ganze Mp Teddy Mwambire on Friday said he would ensure all return to university come 2018.
“We are working around the clock to ensure they all go back to the university to continue with their studies,” he said.
“We will also ensure we sponsor one hundred students’ joining universities every year,” he added.
