Higher Learning Institutions To Secure Jobs For Their Graduates Or Risk Funds Under New Proposal
The state is now intending to compel public institutions of higher learning to secure jobs for their graduates, failing which they will face action.
In a new effort to save millions of unemployed graduates, the University Fund, which is in charge of determining how much money is released to institutions, is attempting to compel universities to secure jobs for graduates.
Universities whose graduates do not find work within four years of graduation will have their funds slashed, according to the proposal.
This proposal is based on five performance indicators, including the employment of an institution’s graduates, research, and financial management training for top officials.
The new formula, which could save the lives of graduates who are out of work, is a departure from the current formula, which allocates funds based on the number of students and the cost of courses at the institutions.
Performance-based funding is a type of funding that allocates a portion of a university’s education budget based on specific performance measures. It makes funding allocation more transparent and competitive,” stated University Fund in its proposal.
“The key performance indicators to be considered will be four-year graduation rate, graduate employability rate (one year after graduation) and research inputs.”
Kenya has 102 public universities and campuses, with a total enrollment of 452,089 students. Despite high enrollment, the majority of graduates do not find work.
This action follows the World Bank’s latest directive, which seeks to compel the government to merge some public universities, citing duplication of courses and the need to cut spending.
In an advisory to the government, the World Bank warned that the government needed to implement urgent reforms in the sector, which has been plagued by debt for several years.
According to the World Bank, some public universities have been losing money for three years in a row, overburdening the government.
