Unending strikes, crash programs breeding unbaked graduates

University and Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga (right) with Ministry of Education CS Julius Ogamba during the signing of a return-to-work agreement. UASU agreed to call off the lecturers’ strike after 26 days of industrial action that had paralyzed teaching and learning in public universities. [Collins oduor, Standard]

The resumption of university lectures after consecutive strikes presents a major challenge for students, especially those in their final year. 

With the  semester now reduced to just three weeks of classes, learners are expected to cover the entire course content in an intensely compressed period. 

Experts warn that this crash programme could lead to the production of poorly prepared graduates, as the time lost during the strike cannot be fully recovered.

As for the labour market, experts worry that the rush to graduate students might lead to a generation of "unbaked" graduates - individuals who have the certificates but lack the practical skills or depth of understanding to make meaningful contributions to their professions. 

Employers have already begun raising concerns about the quality of graduates entering the workforce in a post-strike world.

“Graduates from these universities may struggle to meet the demands of the labour market,” says James Maina, a human resources consultant. 

According to Maina, employers are looking for candidates who are not only academically qualified but also have the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that come from a deep understanding of the coursework.

"Unfortunately, the crash programme might not provide that," he regrets even as lecturers plan to extend teaching hours, including over weekends.

Universities Academic Staff Union Secretary General Constantine Wasonga maintains that lecturers will been forced to adopt crash programmes, a teaching method that prioritizes intensive, fast-paced learning.

"We will extend teaching hours during the daily schedule and over weekends to recover time lost during the industrial strike," assured Dr Wasonga. The strike ended on Saturday after the union and government struck a Sh9 billion deal.

But the four-week strike, which brought lessons to a halt, has left a huge gap in the academic calendar, and now, both students and faculty must contend with the daunting task of covering an entire semester’s worth of coursework within a fraction of the time.

Dr Wasonga assured both students and parents that the university senates will arrange on the recovery formula to address the disruption cases.

"Once the dons are happy, learners will also smile all their way to the end of the semester. We will put in all our energies to serve our learners," he promised echoing Dr Samson Kidiga's position that there will be no time lost.

Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary General Dr Constantine Wasonga(centre) and National Chairperson Grace Nyongesa(left) addressing the media before their demonstration in Nairobi on November 18, 2024 demanding the Government to honour their CBA agreement. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

According to Dr Kidiga, a senior lecturer at Technical University of Kenya, they are doing everything within their reach to cover all lesson. 

“This includes extended lecture hours, additional tutorials, and online resources. There’s no time to waste, and every moment must count,” he stated.

During such crash courses, lectures are condensed into a few days while assignments are rushed to ensure students can complete assessments before the semester ends. For many learners, this is a massive adjustment.

“It’s overwhelming; we are trying to cram everything, and it’s not just about memorizing content. There’s a lot of pressure to understand complex concepts in a very short period,” laments Mary Wambui, a final-year student majoring in law. 

Experts are worried that this rushed approach might do more harm than good. Prof John Shiundu, Masinde Muliro University of Science Technology expresses concerns over the long-term implications. 

"We risk producing graduates who are underprepared for the challenges of the labour market, especially in fields like medicine, engineering, and law where the quality of training can have serious real-world consequences," stated Prof Shiundu.

The challenges are not only academic but emotional as well. Many students are experiencing heightened stress and burnout.

“It feels like we're being pushed to the edge. Some of us have had to sacrifice sleep, social time, and even mental health to keep up with the workload. And I’m not sure if this crash programme will give me the skills I need to succeed in the future,” says Kevin Otieno, a second-year student at Maseno University. 

The pressure is not just on the students. Lecturers are also navigating the delicate balance of ensuring students grasp critical knowledge while managing their own stress from the compressed schedule. 

“We are trying to meet the syllabus requirements, but we know we can’t cover everything in depth. It's a difficult situation for everyone involved,” notes  Professor Alice Ndegwa, who teaches at one of the public universities.  

 UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga, Education CS Julius Ogamba and Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala after signing a return-to-work agreement. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Despite these fears, both students and lecturers are doing their best to make the most of the situation. 

Muthoni Ouko, an educationist said some lecturers have turned to online platforms to supplement in-person learning, creating virtual discussion groups, posting lectures, and offering personalised tutoring to help students absorb the material in the limited time available. 

“We have no choice but to adapt. The system is under pressure, but we must try to give students the best chance to succeed, even if it’s not perfect,” she stated.

Rocha Madzao, student leader at the University of Nairobi said the final weeks of the semester will be a test of endurance, resilience, and adaptability. 

"Many students are left hoping that despite the challenges of this condensed academic term, their education will be enough to launch them into a future that’s not defined by the haste of their final semester," he said. 

However, Dr Philip Amuyunzu, lecturer at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology is concerned that th rush will compromise the quality of learning. 

"The pressure to fit an entire semester's worth of material into a fraction of the time means that students may not have sufficient time to engage deeply with the material, complete necessary assignments, or adequately prepare for exams," observed Dr Amuyunzu.

This scenario is particularly concerning for final-year students who are on the brink of graduation and need to demonstrate mastery of their subjects.

Moreover, Dr Humphrey Kisia a psychologist said the rushed pace may leave students with inadequacies in understanding concepts. 

"The process of quickly cramming in coursework could lead to surface-level comprehension, as opposed to a more thorough, reflective learning experience," he explained. 

Adding: "This situation is compounded by the potential for student burnout, as the intensity of the workload and long hours of study may be overwhelming."