Varsities Risk Losing Students Due to Poor Facilities — KUCCPS
In order to retain students, universities across the nation have been challenged to maintain their facilities to quality standards.
Poor facilities such as hostels, according to research cited by the CEO of KUCCPS, Mercy Wahome, are among the reasons students seek transfers.
Wahome emphasized that universities must uphold specific standards or actively strive to maintain them, as students are afforded the freedom to make their own choices in terms of mobility.
He further elaborated that when questioning students about their reasons for transferring, it has become evident that inadequate accommodation facilities have been a contributing factor. He stressed that by providing high-quality accommodations, universities can effectively retain their student population.
During interviews with multiple students, the majority stated that they choose to reside in hostels outside of their institutions for privacy and cost-effectiveness.
“When I first arrived on campus, I remained in the dorms for only two semesters before renting off-campus. The student who did not wish to give her name said, “I never had any privacy because my roommate would sometimes bring her friends to the dorm and I’d be in the bathroom.”
She continued by stating that the majority of hostels outside of colleges are more affordable than those within institutions.
“My bedsitter costs Sh7,500 per month. It is less expensive than a hostel, and I have the entire room to myself. “I can enter and exit the house at any time without restrictions,” she said.
Other students argued that poor cleaning of ablution facilities at their schools contributed to their contracting urinary tract infections (UTI).
“Many students contract infections as a result of unhygienic school restrooms. “It’s preferable to live alone so that you can clean your own bathroom every day,” said another pupil.
Also, because I have my own bathroom, I don’t have to share it with many people, unless a guest comes over.
Wahome reiterated that universities must ensure that their facilities are well maintained prior to the September admission of KCSE graduates from the class of 2022.
She also urged university administrations to ensure that they have the capacity to offer the programs for which they intend to admit students prior to the enrollment period.
Wahome indicated that there was a desire to enroll a thousand students in the program.
However, prior to announcing the program’s capacity, the commission needed to ensure that the institution had the capability to deliver education effectively to the specified number of students.
Wahome advised the institutions to collaborate with the Ministry of Housing to enhance the construction of improved student hostels.
Wahome remarked that public universities should consider investigating the enhancement of those facilities if their intention is to retain students.
In the meantime, universities that intend to increase tuition to pay for student housing or sustenance have been warned.
Universities Fund chief executive officer Geoffrey Monari stated that a fee increase agreement has been signed between the government and institutions.
Universities that violate the agreement will be penalized, and the Memorandum of Understanding signed with them will be voided.
“Universities have signed an agreement with us based on the tuition they charge. If they increase fees, the agreement will be terminated and they will be billed.” Monari uttered.
Under the New Funding Model, Monari assured students that those who apply for funding will receive scholarships and loans, and no student will be denied funding.
The government will provide both scholarships and loans to 130,485 students attending public universities, while 9,665 students attending private universities will only receive loans.
“No student will be denied funding, as the estimated number of students is greater than the actual number placed,” he said.
Varsities Risk Losing Students Due to Poor Facilities — KUCCPS
