Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi demands public universities to hand in status

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi (Photo:Courtesy)

By KIPCHUMBA KEMEI

Nairobi, Kenya: Disquiet has hit public universities management over the many status reports demanded last week by Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi.

Some Vice Chancellors of these universities say the motive behind Prof Kaimenyi’s action is unknown.

This comes days after the VCs were engulfed in a payment tiff with their staff, a development that senior Government officials said did not please the “top leadership” of the country.

During the two weeks’ strike, Kaimenyi said thorough investigations will be conducted in public universities and threatened to take action against VCs found guilty of misdirecting money meant to boost the salaries of their staff.

Kaimenyi said this as pressure mounts on him to make good his threats against the VCs.

Interviews with some of the VCs by The Standard on Sunday painted a picture of a shocked lot, who strictly requested not to be named for fear of victimisation, as the issue at hand is considered “extremely sensitive”.

In a raft of circulars released last week, Kaimenyi wants the VCs to file in his office within a period of three months, a myriad of status reports, including how they spent the monies raised from parallel degree programmes.

Insiders familiar with the universities’ operations say the number of parallel students exceed that of government sponsored ones.

“This is deliberate because that is how they generate the monies. However, nobody knows how these universities spend the money in addition to the funds they get from the government,” said an official from one of the top public universities.

“Anybody who dares to audit these accounts will be shocked because it remains a guarded secret. Some of them have used the monies to develop their universities but for others you can never tell where the monies go.”

The source said these universities generate in excess of Sh10 billion annually from parallel programmes. The Standard on Sunday could not independently verify this figure, as it is a closely guarded information.

Prof Kaimenyi also wants a report on the use of students’ unions funds. “Provide information on the monies raised for the students union in the last five years, how it has been used and whether there have been instances where it was not used properly,” reads the circular from his office.

It adds: “If not, let me know what action you took against those involved and the measures you have put in place to discourage some few individuals from misappropriating funds meant for students activities.”

The CS also demanded a comprehensive report on recruitments and appointments to elective positions — complete with the qualifications and competence of successful candidates — staff promotions and status of ethnic balance.

The Cabinet Secretary also wants to be furnished with information on governance in state universities complete with staff on contracts and those working in acting capacities.

He demanded a clear report on attendance of Council meetings to explain whether the institutions of higher learning have been holding regular meetings.

“Provide a list of council who have failed to attend three consecutive council meetings as required. Further, indicate what action has been taken to discourage this unacceptable behavior,” reads the circular dated March 24, 2014.

In addition to this, Kaimenyi also wants a report on Senate meetings and Council committee meetings.

“Let me know within three months of this letter, the number of committees of Senate and Councils which have met regularly for the last five years as per the law,” reads the letter. This is not all. Kaimenyi also wants a comprehensive report on leave of absence. “Indicate the number of staff on leave of absence, reasons for the leave of absence, how long they have been on leave of absence and whether your policies on leave of absence have been complied with to the letter. If not provide reasons for the same…”

On the quality of education in public universities, the CS wants the Vice Chancellors to provide him with the status report on teaching of academic programmes.

“Indicate the number of reported cases of missed lectures for the last two years in your institution, reasons for the same and actions taken against those responsible,’ reads another circular dated March 25, 2014.

Even CATs

“Provide details of the number of departments which have not administered the required number of Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) per semester for the last two years, why they failed and the eventual disciplinary action taken,” reads the circular. The secretary further wants a report on postgraduate supervision and examinations. “Indicate the number of members of staff who have not submitted their monthly/termly (sic) progress reports of postgraduate students as per the statutes…and actions taken against those who failed in this critical function of academia.”

On examinations, the CS also wants a status report on missing marks within two months. “Provide information on the number of cases reported in your institution for the last three years and what action you have taken against the lecturers and other stakeholders who are involved.” He also wants a report on examinations irregularities. “Provide my office with information on the number and types of examinations irregularities which have been reported for the last three years… the duration it took you to resolve the said irregularities,” reads another circular.

“Indicate the courses of action which were taken as per your policy of dealing with such irregularities. Attach your policy document and provide information on the measures you have taken to address this vice satisfactorily,’’ it adds.