The University of Nairobi is under fire after announcing that students participating in the work-study program will be compensated at a rate of Ksh50 per hour. The decision has sparked widespread criticism, with many arguing that the pay is insufficient and fails to reflect the cost of living for students.
The University of Nairobi (UoN) has faced significant backlash after revealing a Ksh50 per hour wage for students who enroll in the work-study program.
A work-study program is an official arrangement provided by the university where registered students, while pursuing their studies, are assigned to different departments for basic work tasks
The program enables students to earn income for their upkeep and similarly provides opportunities for learners to broaden their skills.
Meanwhile, in a letter addressed to students, the University of Nairobi called on the institution's vulnerable learners to register for the programme to help them meet their needs.
Those registered for the initiative would assist in various duties as described and assigned by the immediate supervisor and earn Ksh50 per hour as compensation for their services.
However, the payable amount per hour has drawn criticism from a section of Kenyans who have since faulted the university's administration of what most describe as exploitation.
According to an online user, Ksh50 pay was too low to sustain a student's upkeep especially due to the prevailing economic times.
"That's 400 a day. Labourers in construction earn more than that," commented another user.
"This is such an insult to the students and a way of getting labour at a very cheap cost and at the the expense of the learners," another user claimed.
In its job recommendations, the institution clarified that the applicants must be students registered under the current 2024/2025 academic year.
The students should not be serving a suspension, a deferment or facing any disciplinary cases.
According to UoN, priority would be given to applicants who are fully registered at their respective Assistant Dean of students Office as needy or vulnerable students.
The work-study programme has been immensely adopted by several public universities across the country, however, the payable amount varies from one institution to another.
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