This archive report was first published on 23 December 2019.
Published on December 23, 2019, a court ruling may have dismissed the demand for a doctoral degree to lecture at Kenyan universities, but the reality on the ground is far from it.
Universities have their own internal policies and statutes to guide them in enhancing quality standards. The core business of a university is teaching and research, with research being key to the country's economic development.
Lecturers and postgraduate students are integral parts of the research team. In most universities around the world, lecturers without a doctoral degree are not allowed to start research laboratories, pursue their own research, or advance their careers in academic science.
This implies that non-PhD lecturers are prohibited from supervising master's or doctorate students, ensuring the quality of postgraduate degrees awarded by Kenyan universities is not compromised.
As one of America's founding fathers, James Madison, once said, 'knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.'
With the current trend in human resources recruitment, universities are employing individuals with state-of-the-art knowledge and skills. This is unlike in the past, where employers would hire non-PhD holders and train them.
Higher education in Kenya is experiencing increased demand, but government support is declining. Universities are not receiving enough capitation to offer incentives such as partial scholarships and paid leave.
Furthermore, the National Research Foundation has not released research grants for the past two financial years, limiting non-PhD holders' access to funds.
The prospects of newly recruited young staff starting their research groups and advancing in their academic career are higher compared to old non-PhD holders.
The promotion of young PhD staff to management positions based on merit is likely to isolate lecturers without PhDs, making it essential for them to attain a PhD to advance their careers.
