Gaps in university leadership spell doom for higher education

Reports that some public universities have unoccupied offices at the top should underline an urgent need to improve governance structures in higher education.

There are fears that post-Covid-19 reopening of 18 public universities could be delayed because they do not have councils and substantive vice-chancellors to make key decisions.

A report submitted to Parliament by Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha this week, reveals that 11 university councils fell vacant in March while the term of another nine elapsed in July and are yet to be re-constituted. Three universities do not have vice chancellors.

Working with respective vice chancellors, university councils are expected to assess preparedness and decide dates for full resumption after the Ministry of Education directed that final year students resume classes on Monday.

According to Magoha’s submission, Moi University, Egerton University, Pwani University, Technical University of Mombasa, Technical University of Kenya, Kisii University, University of Eldoret, Laikipia University, University of Kabianga, Karatina University and Taita Taveta University are among institutions with no councils. In view of Covid-19 and other teething challenges facing higher education, failure to put in place full councils to run these institutions only causes harm than good. There are questions as to why the government is buying time with such a crucial matter. The Commission for University Education should address this anomaly.

In our view, the recently amended universities regulations should provide an avenue of ensuring vacancies in crucial university organs are filled in good time and by qualified individuals to forestall crises. We exhibit lack of foresight and predispose higher education to deeper problems when decision-making offices are left vacant for time without end.  

Admittedly, public universities have faced credibility questions, most of which came with the advent of parallel degree programmes. Some managers are accused of prioritising income generation, new campuses and arbitrary expansion of courses at the expense of quality.

In some cases, there are vicious leadership wrangles not to mention nepotism, tribalism and graft claims. As we prepare for phased reopening next week, let the Covid-19 reality nourish a sober debate on university governance.