Private colleges, universities put on notice over unapproved medical courses
By Lucy Mumbi |
The PS announced that the government would soon carry out inspections to identify and shut down institutions offering invalid programmes.
Private colleges and universities offering medical-related courses without proper approval have been warned by the government.
Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, condemned the rise in institutions offering unregulated courses, citing concerns over unregulated programmes that exploit students and render them unemployable.
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Speaking during the 10th graduation ceremony at Tricent School of Medical Health Science and Technology in Juja, Kiambu County, she criticised such colleges for deceiving students and their families.
“Do not waste people’s children by offering them courses that will never qualify them for jobs in the current market,” Muthoni said.
The PS announced that the government would soon carry out inspections to identify and shut down institutions offering invalid programmes. She urged private colleges to liaise with regulatory bodies before introducing new courses.
“In the current circumstance, some owners of private institutions introduce new courses, give them weird names, only for the graduates to become unemployable after completing their studies,” she added.
However, Muthoni assured graduates that the government is working to create job opportunities both locally and abroad. She highlighted that Kenya’s 14,000 healthcare facilities, including public, private, and faith-based institutions, could absorb graduates.
International opportunities
She also cited ongoing bilateral discussions with other countries which aim to expand international opportunities for Kenyan healthcare workers.
Denish Oketch, the managing director of Tricent School, announced plans to launch a hospital to better equip students with practical skills.
He also revealed that the school has initiated a sponsorship programme to support over 30 students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“We want to ensure that we equip our students with the right knowledge and skills to become effective in society,” Oketch said.
Among the 400 graduates awarded diplomas and certificates in various fields was Sheika Mokaya, a police officer passionate about healthcare.
She expressed confidence that the training had prepared them to handle patients in different hospital settings.
In July, the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) issued a warning to prospective students regarding the circulation of fake admission letters.
The institution raised concerns over fake letters being posted by individuals claiming to assist students in acquiring admission.
It noted that only the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) is mandated to select qualified applicants for intakes.
It also emphasised that once the selection is complete, KUCCPS updates the portals of successful applicants and informs them via SMS.
The college further noted that it issues official admission letters upon receiving the list of qualified applicants from KUCCPS.
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