By Amoto Dennis
Many of the 34 private universities might face a bleak future if the proposal by the Ministry of Education to stop the enrolment of government-sponsored students into the private universities is enacted as these institutions’ budgets rely on the government-sponsored students.
The proposal which has been fronted by the Education Committee of the National Assembly has been supported by MPs and the Ministry of Education.
The MP for Kabondo Kasipul Dr. Eve Obara and Migori Women rep Dr.
Pamela Odhiambo has fronted the move.
“Why should we have students sent to private universities when public universities have enough capacity?’’ asked Dr. Obara.
However, Busia Women Rep Florence Mutua called for extensive consultation before such a drastic move is implemented.
Private universities committee Chair Prof Kisau Mumo of Scott Christian University reaffirmed that the government-sponsored students voluntarily choose to join private universities.
‘’And such voluntary choice should not only be respected but be encouraged,’’ said Mumo.
He, however, accused the public universities Vice-Chancellors and the Ministry of Education of insincerity by asking the government to stop student admission in private universities.
Besides, University of East Africa Baraton VC Prof Philip Maiyo who doubles as Vice-Chair of the committee, said public and private universities are not competing.
“Private universities are playing an important role in furthering the education of students and this need to be appreciated and encouraged,’’ said Prof Mayo.
He added that private universities are currently struggling with numbers since the university entry grade was lowered.
Maiyo said that previously private universities relied on the thousands of candidates who had fallen in that cluster for degree programs.
Embu University VC Prof Daniel Mugendi Njiru noted that the available spaces in public universities are not filled as the number of students joining public universities wherein the government has heavily invested has gone down in the past four years.
On the other hand, Higher Education and Research PS Simon Nabukwesi said that public universities vice-chancellors have raised a valid proposal for review.
However, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) acting CEO Agnes Wahome said students should be allowed to choose which university to join.
