Matiang'i Introduces 2 New Rules For Universities

Education Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i on Wednesday stated that there was a need to look at how public universities are run.

Speaking during a meeting with various stakeholders in the education sector on Wednesday, Matiang'i halted further opening of satellite campuses, noting that some were watering down the quality training offered.

The CS also stopped hiring of university staff on permanent and pensionable terms with immediate effect; stating that new staff would get contracts from January.

[caption caption="CS Fred Matiang'i"][/caption]

Early this year, Matiang'i revealed that Kenya needed at least 1,000 PhD's to effectively drive academics and research in institutions.

"The varsities audit revealed ineligible students were admitted to pursue degrees and that honorary degrees were given to undeserving cases," he remarked.

Lecturers are currently on strike and have claimed the government has refused to give them audience.

The Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) last week appealed to the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) to call off the lecturers strike and resume working to avoid interrupting academic programs.

The Council’s Chairman Prof Paul Kanyari stated that the government was committed to implementing the Collective Bargaining Agreement, urging lecturers to resume work and wait for the implementation.

“We have continued to dialogue with the Government to ensure payments of the CBA 2013-continue seamlessly.

"Therefore, we urge the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) to call off the industrial action and all members of staff of public universities to provide uninterrupted service so that operations in public universities are normalized,” remarked Kanyari.

Kanyari added that its only four months; that is July, August, September and October that increment on their salaries had not been made after Government released Sh10 billion early this year which catered for the rates up to 30 June, 2017.

[caption caption="File Photo"][/caption]