CS Matiang’i: Brace for university education reforms
By Margaret Kalekye/KNA
The Government will undertake radical reforms in the Higher Education system, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Dr. Fred Matiang’i has said.
He said those charged with responsibilities over universities ought to take drastic steps to guard against the integrity of university education in Kenya from collapsing.
The Cabinet Secretary said this when he official opening of the 1st Chancellors’ Convention on University Education and Sustainable Development in a Nairobi Hotel today. The objectives of the convention were to identify key challenges and constraints to future development of the University Education and its contribution to national development.
He said the reforms were unavoidable given the concerns different stakeholders, including students, parents, and employers had risen.
He said stakeholders had raised concerns unqualified students were being admitted to the academic programmes of the universities.
He said stakeholders had complained about lack of and inadequacy of necessary resources for the support the students in their academic programmes, and unqualified, inappropriate and uncommitted academic staff disseminating information to our students.
Dr. Matiang’i said complaints also touched on students receiving grades that they did not deserve, or even, graduated from academic programmes in which they did not fulfill the academic requirements.
He said the envisaged reforms will address some of these concerns.
“The reforms are necessary and are geared towards enhancing efficiency and effectiveness; meeting societal expectations; and keeping in tandem with the developmental changes and demands,” Dr. Matiang’i said.
Present included the Chairperson of the Chancellors Committee, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Eldoret, Prof. Judith Mbula Bahemuka, and fellow chancellors from private and public universities including their vice chancellors and Chairpersons of University Councils.
