- Lecturers who are blaming students for being complacent with education.
- However, they agree that the system must be automated to curb corruption and time wastage.
Image: COURTESY
Sharon Njoki works at a Nairobi-based Public Relations agency, earning Sh60,000 as a junior accounts executive.
The 27-year-old has managed to save Sh480,000 in two years, rented a house and is now planning to embark on a Masters Degree journey after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism and Communications) from the University of Nairobi in 2021.
Her campus friend Betty Mulinge has no better story to tell as she missed a slot on the graduation list last Friday again due to missing marks. This was her fifth attempt.
Failure to take an important examination for a subject in a unit she undertook in the second year of study has seen her lose lifetime opportunities and even disgraced her despite sitting it at a later date.
Unlike Njoki, Mulinge has not achieved much, save for occasional data entry gigs where she earns up to Sh25,000 in a good month, much of which she spends on personal effects.
"I feel worthless as my life has stagnated for two years now. I sleep on a sofa in my parents' one-bedroom house in Huruma, Estate. When not keying data for a non-governmental organisation, I am a brand promoter,'' Mulinge says amid tears.
"The stiff neck bureaucracy by the lecturer who is supposed to key in my marks and confirmation by the school administration has ruined my life. The lecturer left the institution hence rarely picks up my calls. The department is not helping either. I am on the edge."
She descends into uncontrollable sobs as she tells this writer of how she has lost promising scholarship and job opportunities due to lack of a degree despite spending close to six years at the school.
"December will be my last attempt. I have suffered. I hope to obtain the necessary education so that I can move on with my life journey."
Mulinge's story shines a light on the struggles of university students in Kenya who have lost hope after failing to graduate due to various reasons, with lack of school fees taking the prime spot.
The Star Newspapers spoke to various victims of analog examination and school-clearing systems in local universities, most of the struggles reading like scenes in horror movies.
We also engaged lecturers who are blaming students for being complacent with education. However, they agree that the system must be automated to curb corruption and time wastage.
Most of the institutions we reached for comments had not responded to our emails and calls by the time of going to press. The secretary to the dean of students at Kiriri Women's University of Science and Technology directed us to the Chancellor's office.
Last Friday, *Jamleck* finally graduated with a bachelor's degree at the University of Nairobi after six attempts.
"Lack of school fees is the only mistake I made. Although I cleared with accounts and sat for necessary exams, my marks took a long to reflect, making it hard for me to graduate. I have made so many trips here that I can reach the third floor of Mahatma Ghadhi's on a blindfold."
According to him, registering for a missed exam can be classified as a full-time job due to the complexities involved.
"I could be in the US pursuing my dream job in engineering but here I am. I thank God I have now graduated. I have wasted a huge chunk of time and promising opportunities,'' he said.
He recounts how some of his friends were forced to bribe their way into graduation lists, with some exploited sexually by randy lecturers and administrators.
Neolla Mwanzi told the Star that it took her four extra years to graduate from Maseno University.
"I was lucky. An organization offered me a job based on experience. Even so, the degree was important for career progression. I managed to obtain my academic papers after numerous calls and tens of trips to the institution in 2022."
She narrated to the Star how her close friend sunk into depression after many failed attempts to graduate from Moi University.
"Although her family is helping her out, many that I know have lost hope in life, with some committing suicide."
Although he acknowledges that the university clearing system is infested with corruption, Victor Kinyanjui blames some students for negligence and a last-minute push to graduate.
He says that it is the student's responsibility to follow a set academic structure and exam-clearing process.
"I graduated right on time at Mount Kenya University after following the necessary steps. Most students fail to meet the required number of classes or miss exams due to laziness and peer pressure,'' he said.
''Some make late submissions of needed schoolwork and blame institutions. A great sense of responsibility is needed from students, lecturers and school administration to cut on time wastage.''
In 2022, the University of Nairobi deregistered more than 30,000 inactive students who had overstayed for more than double the period normally required to complete a degree programme.
Professor Stephen Kiama, the then vice-chancellor said that the deregistered students comprised 37.5 per cent of the total enrolment, including those who had temporarily withdrawn or deferred their studies indefinitely and those who had been discontinued for failing examinations.
Although lack of school fees was cited as the major cause, high casualties were also recorded among the master's degree students who had not completed their studies within the stipulated timelines, for inability to finish the research requirements.