Magoha reforms call for sober debate on universities’ future

The Ministry of Education is going full-throttle with an ambitious plan to merge public universities in view of challenges facing higher education. The contentious reforms, spearheaded by CS George Magoha (pictured), are to look into the overall governance structures in universities. However, vice chancellors have half-heartedly bought into the idea.

At a meeting on Friday, university bosses warned against ‘rushed’ changes, saying such a move would cause more harm than good. But Prof Magoha insists he ‘stepped in’ to forestall a crisis. He hopes to ride on the amended universities regulations that allow mergers or acquisitions done after consultations with the Commission for University Education (CUE). The regulation obliges CUE to consider an inspection report generated by an audit committee it shall institute and where satisfied, recommend to the Cabinet Secretary for merger or acquisition of universities or campuses.

Currently, Kenya has 74 universities, with 31 of them being public and six public constituent colleges. There are also 18 private universities, five private constituent colleges and 14 institutions with Letters of Interim Authority. Public universities have faced credibility questions, most of which came with the advent of parallel degree programmes. Their managers stand accused of prioritising income generation, new campuses and arbitrary expansion of courses all at the expense of quality. Then there are vicious leadership wrangles not to mention nepotism, tribalism and graft claims. 

More questions persist over the credibility of degrees and diplomas. Just last week, Magoha revisited the debate, admitting that the quality of PhDs had indeed depreciated in the recent past. In 2018, the government closed 57 campuses that failed to meet accreditation requirements. The planned reforms should nourish a more sober debate on university governance.

Rather than feel left out, we urge vice chancellors and every stakeholder in the education sector to speak up. Universities and the government should come up with an agreeable way forward. It takes two to tango. When we stick to resist change or rush through reforms, we exhibit lack of foresight. Let dialogue continue on this important matter.