New Legislation Restricts Universities to Grant Degrees Only, Banning the Offering of Diplomas and Certificates
A new law currently under consideration by Parliament could reshape the landscape of higher education in Kenya, potentially prohibiting universities from offering diploma and certificate courses. This proposed move, spearheaded by Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru Mejjadonk, aims to fortify tertiary institutions but may pose a significant financial challenge to universities already grappling with financial crises.
In the drafted legislation, known as The Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023, MP Mejjadonk advocates for an amendment to the Universities Act, 2012. The primary objective is to cease the practice of universities providing certificate and diploma courses, redirecting these offerings to technical and vocational colleges. The bill contends that universities should primarily focus on delivering degree and postgraduate programs, emphasizing their role as institutions of higher learning and academic research.
The proposed law seeks to limit the role of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service, preventing the placement of students in universities for diploma or certificate courses. Instead, it suggests that technical and vocational colleges should become the primary institutions for such courses, thereby increasing enrollment in these specialized educational avenues.
However, the legislation includes a provision to safeguard students currently enrolled in diploma and certificate programs at universities. Those already undertaking such courses before the enactment of the proposed law would be allowed to complete their studies under the existing arrangement.
If the law passes, university chancellors would be prohibited from conferring basic certificate and diploma courses. Furthermore, the bill aims to empower the Commission for University Education (CUE) to recognize and equate postgraduate certificates and diplomas from foreign universities.
The proposed legislation, scheduled for its first reading this week, has the potential to impact various public and private universities that heavily rely on diploma and certificate courses to bolster their admission numbers. This could result in a loss of revenue for universities, affecting tuition and other ancillary services associated with these courses. The bill reflects a broader effort to redefine the roles and priorities of higher education institutions in Kenya.
