Tenson is simmering between the Commission for University Education and the University Administration, days after deregistration of certain courses.
In a report by CUE, 133 courses taught at 26 universities have not been approved by the commission. More than 10,000 students are currently taking the unapproved courses.
According to the commission, most of the universities were running unapproved programs in a bid to cut on the yearly accreditation costs — Sh320,000 per programme.
Sleeping on the job
Two universities have since reacted to the allegation by CUE, saying the commission is sleeping on the job.
“Some universities provide details for accreditation for particular programmes but continue to teach others that are not approved and the commission only comes to learn about them later,” said an official at CUE.
Learning paralyzed
At Tom Mboya University College in Homa Bay, learning was suspended after CUE said the institution offers 25 unapproved courses.
Tom Mboya University College principal Charles Ochola criticised the CUE report, saying the institution currently offers 13 programmes and not 37 as reported by the commission.
The school’s chairperson of the Students Union, Mr David Gitonga, said they would not attend classes until the matter is addressed in a memo dated February 18.
Evaded the topic
On Tuesday, CUE chairman Chacha Nyaigoti Chacha called off a media briefing in which he was to comment on the audit.
“We had called you here to give a brief on the issue of unaccredited programmes being offered in universities but unfortunately we will not be able to do so today. We have to look at the report before making any pronouncement,” said Prof Chacha.
At Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, officials clarified that the institution had submitted documentation to CUE in August 2017 to have the Bachelor of Science (Applied Statistics) course accredited.
At Kibabii University, vice-chancellor Ipara Odeo said the institution had submitted the Diploma in Business Management course for accreditation and asked students not to panic.