University expansion in Kenya and issues of quality education: Challenges and opportunities

Abstract

The demand for university education in Kenya has significantly increased and continues to swell. Many secondary school graduates and the working class look for opportunities to pursue university education. Universities being accountable to the public as stakeholders need to guarantee that they offer quality teaching, research and community service to its students. With the increasing numbers of students seeking places in public universities, the question of quality is critical and requires urgent attention. This article reports on data from a study that sought to explore the perceptions on the quality of service delivery in public and private universities and the opportunities for quality university education in Kenya. Data was collected in May to November 2010 from a sample of 502 university students and 127 lecturers using structured questionnaires. It was found that public universities did not have the necessary physical facilities to effectively offer service to its current student body. The study recommends that to absorb the large number of students in a double intake and offer quality education required careful investment in physical facilities, teaching and research resources, innovative Information Communication Technology and collaboration with the private universities.