Whoever claims that a university degree is “just a paper” has likely never endured the realities of student life in Kenya’s public universities. Such a statement dismisses the countless mornings when students walk to class at dawn, battling thick fog, biting cold, and empty stomachs. At 6:30 a.m., while many are still wrapped in blankets, students are already on the road, hoodies pulled tight, hands buried in pockets, yet the cold still cuts through like a thief of comfort. Even the trees seem to tremble in protest.
This is not merely education—it is survival training. University life extends beyond lectures, assignments, and exams. It is a test of endurance. By graduation, a student holds more than a certificate; they hold proof of resilience against poverty, hunger, loneliness, and harsh weather, all while striving to meet academic expectations.
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), designed to support students, often falls short of meeting real needs. Many struggle to afford warm clothing, decent meals, or basic necessities. In cold regions, a cup of tea becomes a luxury, and a blanket more valuable than lecture notes. Perhaps HELB should consider a “hardship allowance” for students in extreme environments, because education should not feel like punishment.
Behind every degree lies sacrifice: mornings fueled only by hope, nights of sleepless cold, unanswered loan appeals, second‑hand jackets from Gikomba, and dreams that refused to die.
A degree is not just paper. It is evidence of mental strength, emotional endurance, and unwavering commitment in the face of adversity.
By Gilbert Kipaya, Laikipia University
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