Title:
STAFFING LEVELS IN KENYAN UNIVERSITIES: AN EMERGING THREAT TO TRAINING AND RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

Authors:
Rael Wahu Gichara

Volume:1 Issue: 10

Abstract:
Kenyan universities have experienced phenomenal expansion in recent years, which is a reflection of the growing demand for specialized skills to sustain the emerging industrial economy. This rapid expansion has not been in tandem with the recruitment of highly skilled academic personnel to service these institutions. Consequently, this rapid expansion has failed to address the skills gap required to sustain the socio-economic demands of the country. This mismatch in skills training is largely attributable to the inadequate resource mobilization and allocation to Kenyan Universities in terms qualified faculty. The poor staffing levels in most Kenyan universities is critical since it presents a serious threat to the training of qualified manpower required to drive the socio-economic development in the country. Recent studies have demonstrated that most Kenyan universities are manned by part-time lecturers who are generally less qualified and lack commitment to teaching and research excellence; which inevitably leads to the mass production of graduates who lack critical faculties required for functional utility in the labor market. It is arguable that poor staffing levels plays a significant role in the mass production of these semi-skilled and poorly trained University graduates. Rationalization of resource allocation with the aim of optimizing the inputs involved in University graduate training and more importantly the teaching faculty; is strongly recommended.

Citation:

[Gichara, Rael Wahu. "STAFFING LEVELS IN KENYAN UNIVERSITIES: AN EMERGING THREAT TO TRAINING AND RESEARCH EXCELLENCE." IJAH, vol. 1, no. 10, 2017, pp. 948-955. November.]