Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) Secretary General Constantine
Wasonga (brown jacket) with fellow union members gestures during a media
briefing at the University of Nairobi Grounds on January 18, 2017. Uasu
has asked the government to lift the foreign travel restriction for
lecturers. PHOTO | FRANCIS NDERITU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
University lecturers have demanded the immediate withdrawal of the travel restriction recently imposed by the government.
The
Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) said the move had adversely
affected many members, who are frustrated by delays in processing
requests.
“Those seeking clearance have to wait for
long and some are being denied clearance to travel outside the country
for international conferences, workshops and external examinations at
universities outside Kenya,” said Dr George Omondi, Uasu University of
Nairobi chapter secretary.
Dr Omondi added that the ban is not only discriminatory but also violates the constitutional rights of the lecturers.
AFFECT NEGATIVELY
“The
impact of this unlawful travel restriction continues to affect the
country negatively. Uasu will vigorously fight this unlawful travel
restriction until it is withdrawn,” he said.
A letter
from Mrs A. Mworia, senior deputy secretary in the Education ministry,
dated September 20 and addressed to all vice-chancellors and principals
of their constituent colleges, says: “This is to notify you that it has
been decided, until further advised otherwise, that no government
official will travel outside the country.”
The government has also banned other civil servants from travelling outside the country.
At
the same time, Presbyterian University of East Africa acting VC John
Mungania said his institution would work closely with the Commission for
University Education (CUE) to ensure it offers quality education.
QUALITY EDUCATION
“We
do observe that we are partners in offering education in Kenya and that
we are all partners in the economic development of this country by
offering quality education as pointed out in previous CUE inspection
reports,” said Prof Mungania. He made the remarks recently during the
inspection of the university by the regulator.
“We are
operating within the rules, regulations and guidelines of CUE and the
laws of Kenya. This position is demonstrated by the fact that the Kenya
employability survey indicates that our graduates are among the 10
preferred graduates in the labour market,” he said.
The acting VC said the university is listed among the institutions that offer employment opportunities to many Kenyans.
He reiterated his commitment and that of the university to move with CUE progressively towards the attainment of a charter.
The inspection report is set to be released soon.
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