Government halts conversion of colleges to universities

By Ngumbao Kithi

The Government has stopped the conversion of technical training institutions into universities.

Measures to replace those already converted into campuses have been put in place.

Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Sally Kosgei said the conversion of technical schools into universities was ill advised and denied the country much needed skilled middle-level workers.

"We want to upgrade existing technical schools so that they can play their role effectively," Dr Kosgei said.

Speaking at the Sun N Sand Beach Resort in the North Coast, during the annual Inter-Universities Council of East Africa conference, Kosgei called on lecturers to recommend how to deal with the demand of university expansion, without compromising quality.

She directed the Commission for Higher Education to play its role effectively and ensure standards were maintained. "If higher education is not checked, we will soon be exporting more students to get quality education," Kosgei said.

The minister also asked university lecturers to come up with practical suggestions to harmonise the education systems in eastern Africa.

She said students crossing from one country to another for further education were forced to take tests to qualify.

"We must come with a way, be it credit transfers or something that will remove the barriers for citizens of East Africa from seeking higher education overseas," Kosgei said.

She said the Government would not allow the arbitrary expansion of university education without application of quality standards.