Good action on ‘varsity’
What you need to know:
- According to commission chairman Henry Thairu, the owners of a university that was being set up in Kiambu County had neither applied for registration nor had it been accredited.
- It is also highly unlikely that the owner had sought approval for the use of the American President’s name.
The speed with which the Commission for University Education has moved to shut down a new institution that was found not to have followed the laid-down registration procedure is commendable.
According to commission chairman Henry Thairu, the owners of a university that was being set up in Kiambu County had neither applied for registration nor had it been accredited.
Had the officials not moved fast, the so-called Barack Obama University would have been up and running, without having complied with the regulations governing the establishment of institutions of higher learning. It is also highly unlikely that the owner had sought approval for the use of the American President’s name.
While private investment in the provision of higher education is welcome as it complements government resources, the registration conditions must be fulfilled and facilities thoroughly inspected to ensure that they meet or even exceed the basic requirements on courses, other programmes, and staffing.
This is the only way to guarantee that such institutions provide quality education. Those who breached the law should be punished to serve as a deterrent to similar wrongdoing.
