Government freezes opening of new university campuses

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has instituted a raft of reforms targeted at streamlining the tertiary education sector and maintaining universal standards in university education.

The move by the Ministry of Education comes hot on heels of reports of closure of a Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) campus in Rwanda due to failure to meet university education standards in the East African Community (EAC) country.

The ministry consequently barred universities from opening new campuses and satellite learning centres both in Kenya and in EAC member states.

Under the new directive, universities will be required to recruit Vice Chancellors and other senior administration officers on performance contract basis, appraise them annually and furnish the ministry with performance records.

CS Matiang’i also ordered the Commission for University Education (CUE) to cease recognising degrees awarded by universities that do not meet the minimum standard requirements.

Earlier in the year, CUE nullified all degrees awarded irregularly to persons who had not met the university minimum entry grade of C +.

Universities will be required to make proposals of setting up new campuses to the ministry which will scrutinize them rigorously before approval.

The order comes just two months after the CUE concluded auditing of all degrees offered by institutions of higher learning in the country.

Matiang’i said that the ministry will avail resources to the commission of university education to enabled it perform its regulatory functions as expected.

Maseno University came into the spotlight over rampant students’ unrest, insecurity and poor learning environment.

Matiang’i announced that he has already ordered CUE to conduct thorough investigations into the chaos reported in the institutions.

“We want to know what is happening in the halls of residence there,” said Matiang’i.

The CS slammed university administrators for neglecting students welfare by letting students live in deplorable conditions besides turning a blind eye to the harmful businesses in the halls of residence.

“If you go to these public universities and go to where the students live you will be amazed [sic],” said Matiang’i.

The CS advised University administrators to involve students and other stakeholders to develop an appropriate dress code, alcoholic and security policies.