- Inyangala said that the university will give students from poor socioeconomic backgrounds a chance to access university education.
- “Here students can move from certificate to degree. It’s a solution for students who have dropped out of university."
Image: FILE
The government through the State Department of Higher Education and Research is set to launch "The Open University in Kenya" in a bid to provide accessible higher education to a wide range of learners.
Speaking in Meru during the 2nd Annual SDGs Conference, Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala said that the university will give students from poor socioeconomic backgrounds a chance to access university education.
This, she said, will be achieved through the flexible learning modes, affordable programmes, and admission criteria that the institution will offer.
Taking to her Twitter page, the PS expressed that the flexible learning opportunities will be mainly achieved through online courses and distance education programs.
"It will offer flexible learning opportunities through online courses and distance education programs, empowering individuals across Kenya to pursue their educational aspirations," she said.
The Open University is set to operate like other institutions but will only offer virtual classes and no physical learning.
The Open University which is to be domiciled at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology has been a matter of debate among various education stakeholders.
In February, while appearing before the National Assembly Education committee, PS Inyangala defended the state's plan to launch the university saying the institution will embrace digital technology.
“Here students can move from certificate to degree. It’s a solution for students who have dropped out of university,” she said.
This was after legislators raised concern over the Sh250 million cost of setting up the institution.
They raised queries over the move of setting up another institution when existing higher education institutions are struggling.
“You are painting a negative picture of universities. When even Helb and other universities don’t have money, you’re raising money to build an Open University,” National Assembly Education Committee vice chairman Malulu Injendi said.
In March, the higher education state department requested an additional Sh1.8 billion to facilitate its establishment, a move that the PS defended by saying that the university has been stalling for years.
“It’s not a new project. Since 2010, a blueprint was developed and money paid to Commission for University Education (CUE) to accredit NOU,” she said.
The university is set to offer six programs at the bachelor's level and two at the postgraduate level.