The quality of higher education has been a subject of discussion by many educationists and scholars.
Even the late Prof Ali Mazrui was once in record to call for expunging of the current 8-4-4 system for what he called “sterile system that is valueless to students”.
These immense criticisms come when most universities in the country have diminished in terms of ranking globally in terms of research and extension. In fact, the latest ratings understandably ranked universities from South Africa and North Africa on top in the continent.
In that respect, Universities of Cape and Cairo predictably fared well with University of Nairobi topping in East Africa but showing a dismal performance globally. To this end, one can arguably say our system of education need radical surgery for it to restore its glory. However, the broader picture in our institutions of higher learning communicates the rot.
Firstly though, students are to blame. Majority of them have failed to capitalize on research funds set aside by many institutions to come up with innovative ideas. According to their school of thought, they ought to wait till closing stages of the semester to make “Mwakenya or Skude” that they use during examinations. They trend has escalated in once most respected stages of study.
For instance, Kisii University alone has rusticated more than 200 students of exam malpractices related cases while Masinde Muliro and Maseno have also recorded almost a similar number. Melancholically though, there are many other unreported cases that have substantially threatened the quality of the output from these institutions. Secondly, the exponential growth of student population has compelled the government to increase these institutions from the initial seven to almost 22.
But to make matters worse, the newly elevated institutions offer certain courses without relevant facilities. With minimal funding from the government, many students end up doing courses theoretically hence missing the practical part that is indispensable in the job market. Then the question remains, why do these institutions offer these courses?
Why does the government tolerate the menace? The answer basically is simple; the Ministry of Higher education has failed to act. This is basically their obligation to bring sanity to our institutions. It is astonishing that some of these institutions are running unaccredited courses hence sabotaging dreams of young intellectuals.
If these menace is not combated by the government by coming up with stringent measures, African education system will be producing the so called half-baked graduates who will do little to change the shrinking economy of her nations. Further, universities should not only expel students found guilty of examinations malpractices but also make their names public hence denying them another chance to be enrolled elsewhere.