University stakeholders have called on Member of Parliament not to pass into law a proposal seeking to bar them from offering diploma and certificate programmes, saying it would cripple several universities across the country.
Led by Gretsa University Vice Chancellor Dr Mbugua Kibathi, they said scrapping the programmes would lead to a crisis in the higher education sector since most universities depend on them for financial stability and growth.
Speaking during the institution’s 16th graduation ceremony in Thika where over 800 grandaunts were conferred with Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates yesterday, Dr Kibathi said universities offer such programmes to allow students grow into the degree level.
“For example, several students have today graduated with diplomas in this institution. Thousand others are pursuing the courses in many other universities across the country. If scrapped, what will happen to these institutions that have depended on such programmes for stability and growth,” he posed.
He said if legalized, a major pool of students will not have a proper foundation offered at the university level thereby limiting their academic and career progression.
He added that diploma and certificate students enjoy the university environment, professional tutelage and state-of -the-art facilities, adequately equipping them for the job market as opposed to when in colleges and Tvets.
“We don’t agree with this proposal. We want diploma and certificate students to continue growing into degree level while in universities. Scrapping the courses means a major pool of people will not have the proper foundation courses given in these institutions,” said Dr Kibathi.
This comes following the approval by the National Assembly Committee on Education and Research on a proposal to abolish diploma and basic certificate courses from all universities in efforts to streamline the education system.
The proposal seeks to restrict universities to degree and postgraduate courses, leaving diploma and certificate programs to technical and vocational colleges.
The objective of the move is to address duplication of roles of universities and TVET Institutions in offering certificates and diplomas, congestion in universities, and underutilization of resources. It also seeks to address inconsistencies in course quality, content, and duration.
By Muoki Charles
