Reports that thousands of degrees held by Kenyan graduates would be recalled have caused panic with many fearing the method that would be used in enforcing the action that is part of the reforms spearheaded by Education CS Fred Matiang’i.
The Commission for University (CUE) has now clarified that it has no powers to cancel degrees that have been awarded by accredited universities.
Through Commission Secretary Prof David Some, CUE explained that their mandate is to set the standards that universities use in the admission of students.
He added that CUE currently requires universities to admit students who have scored grade C+ and above with the alternative of completing a three-year diploma from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
Prof Some revealed that in instances where a university has irregularly issued a degree certificate, CUE has no powers to cancel it.
However, that power is given to the senates of the respective universities which can recall any degree that they feel was irregularly awarded.
The CUE CEO further explained that they were in the process of auditing the degrees awarded by various universities to ensure they comply with admission standards as enshrined in the Universities Act.
“The audit is going back to five years since the Act came into force. It is meant to make sure the university senate has the right information on the admissions,” Prof. Some clarified.
In a previous interview, Matiang'i had said that once the audit process is complete, there will be "painful but necessary actions" aimed at enhancing the quality of university education in the country.
