State should fund public universities

Kenyatta University [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The huge percentage raise notwithstanding, the proposal to hike fees for undergraduate courses is laudable and realistic. However, to think that is the elixir to the deep-seated woes of public universities is to say the least, simplistic. These institutions have suffered years of neglect and mismanagement. And lack of funding is the elephant in the room.

Public universities are facing a serious cash crunch. This has been occasioned by a plethora of factors. The main one being, dwindling capitation from the exchequer.

Currently, the government provides 60 per cent of the financial requirements of these institutions. This makes it a nightmare for them to make ends meet. Worse are the big and old institutions that were left with huge debts as their former constituent colleges became full-fledged universities.

Prior to the reforms in the management of examinations by the government, the institutions enjoyed their halcyon days in the privately sponsored student’s programmes. Money came in torrents as demand for higher education far outstripped its supply. Unfortunately, the culture of avarice and lack of financial literacy in the leadership ran counter to good investment of the funds.

The mandate of the university is; teaching, research and community outreach. These require colossal amounts of money. As we urge the universities to adopt the Triple Helix approach as one of the ways to generate income, it equally behooves us to appreciate the fact that with limited funding from the government, universities will only concentrate on their first mandate;  teaching. Unfortunately, even here, if our experience in public universities is anything to go by, this will be done in a half-hearted manner, thus making nonsense of the essence of quality teaching.

Employees of some public universities have been listed or have a poor rating in the credit reference bureau due to failure of their employers to remit their deducted loans.

The terms and conditions of service of many are a mockery of fair labour practices while all the money, statutory and otherwise, that is deducted from their salaries has gone for months on end without reaching the intended destinations.

Of the many issues informing the troubled nature of public universities, the issue of capitation reigns supreme. This is why the government should treat universities like other corporate bodies and provide them with full capitation. It is ironic that as other like- minded institutions are granted full capitation, the universities are expected to add a whole 40 per cent to the exchequers’ contribution to keep them afloat.

I am cognizant of the fact that these institutions have other sources of income, and that with a little ingenuity; more could be given a fillip. But we have to look at the other two mandates of the university- Research and community extension.

These require money. It would be prudent for the universities to be allowed to look into the low lying fruits like alumni and consultancy to facilitate the accomplishment of their mandate with utmost ease. The varsity leadership should be accorded an enabling environment with the wherewithal to turn these institutions into levers for the 4th industrial revolution.

Interestingly, with both financial and human resource management that is shambolic and an a apology for good managerial practices, these institutions still muster the muscle to get ISO certification year- in, year- out. What a mockery of the Quality Management System!

I read with tepidity as varsity honchos gave broad smiles at the support of increasing fees and the increase of capitation to 80 per cent from members of the parliamentary education committee. What sacrilege! Given an opportunity, I would have told them to vouch for 100 per cent capitation, request for a human-friendly package to retire the bloated workforce and push for removal of the bureaucratic policies.

Unfortunately, few can stand and speak their mind freely to the top-cats at the ministry. The culture of silence and indolence has been a feature of our higher education for decades. Added to the nefarious ways of appointment of the leadership, few can dare speak their minds. Boot-licking, back-stabbing, insouciance and hubris are major challenges.

As the capitation is increased, it is prudent for the government to come up with tested financial control systems to check on any corrupt or mismanagement of both the human and financial resources. The systemic weakness that aid plunder should also be sealed.

-Dr Ndaloh teaches at Moi University.