Prof David Some, the Commission for University Education CEO. PHOTO | ROBERT NGUGI
Employers will
soon be able to access academic information on graduates from a State
agency as the government races to curb the use of fake certificates in
securing jobs.
The Kenya National Qualifications Authority has
started a database that will have information on graduates from all
levels of education.
The universities regulator has raised the
alarm over increased use of fake degrees to secure employment in an
economy with a shortage of openings in the job market.
Bonaventure
Kerre, the authority’s chairman, said the measures are aimed at
protecting the credibility of certificates that graduates get from
learning institutions in the country.
“We will have a registry for
all disciplines and qualifications, institutions will have two years to
comply with it,” said Prof Kerre in an interview.
He observed that Kenya lagged other East African countries in building a one-stop qualification registry.
“We
will be very keen on credit hours. One academic year is supposed to
have 120 hours and all institutions must stick to it. We will not
entertain a situation where a diploma takes six months while another
diploma takes three year,” added Prof Kerre.
The Federation of
Kenya Employers (FKE) has in the past raised concerns over the quality
of graduates, arguing that entry-level workers lack relevant skills.
This comes amid reports of higher learning institutions engaging in
academic malpractices.
From selling certificates to “cleaning” of degrees, the institutions are riddled with corruption and greed.
Some
dish out certificates without requiring one to step into a classroom
while others engage in “cleaning” degrees where students with weaker
grades have their marks enhanced while others transfer to other
institutions to strengthen their grades within a short period.
Fraudulent websites masquerading as genuine degree-awarding institutions will also be nabbed.
In the UK, more than 190 bogus universities offering fake degree certificates were unearthed last year.
The Commission for University Education (CUE) said fraud was a threat to the sanctity of higher education.
“If
this menace is not contained it will continue to affect the reputation
of credible institutions,” warned CUE chief executive David Some.
CREDIT: NATION MEDIA
Comments
Post a Comment