This archive report was first published on 30 August 2019.
On August 30, 2019, Wycliffe Osabwa wrote an article for the Nation, highlighting the issue of programme duplication in Kenyan universities.
According to Osabwa, the Ministry of Education and the Commission for University Education have been silent on the matter, despite Prof George Magoha's criticism of the duplication of programmes in universities.
Osabwa argues that the duplication of programmes is a necessary evil, given the challenges faced by the education sector in Kenya. He notes that many universities worldwide, including the Ivy League, offer similar programmes, and that developing nations like Kenya face a shortage of skilled human power.
Osabwa also points out that restricting particular programmes to particular universities would be unreasonable, given the country's transport system and the need for students to access education in their local areas.
He suggests that a more practical approach would be to map and quantify personnel needs, both immediate and long-term, and to designate institutions that will undertake training in specific areas.
Osabwa concludes that the government should protect its citizens from the 'madness' of programme duplication and that a central digital platform should be created to host information on projected manpower needs, career prospects, institutional programmes, and requirements.
