Closure of universities raises many unanswered questions

Editor, RE: “3000 students stranded after closure of varsities” (The New Times, October 31). The saga behind the universities has played out in the media in the last three or so months that I confess it’s easy to become desensitised to the story. But this headline has caught my attention about the most affected group and most vulnerable: the students. For a student who has invested money, time and other resources, this is absolutely heartbreaking. Personally, there is a failure on the part of Higher Education Council. Why did it have to reach this stage? Has there been a monitoring system in place? If the system had been in place, why didn’t it help arrest the situation in time and save the students and stakeholders from this mess? And, what strategies are in place to help students in the event that such institutions end up closing shop as is the case now? 3000 students is a big number. Is HEC able to individually follow up with each and every case to ensure they are absorbed in other universities which is the only reasonable solution? From the article the students are now facing challenges in their effort to be absorbed in other tertiary institutions, including incompatible grading systems, higher education rules (ironically put in place by the same HEC), etc? What about the investor confidence in this sector? Rwanda needs investment in its education sector and this news does not boost investor confidence. Is HEC doing anything to address investor concerns in this regard? What about those students who have already graduated from these universities? Imagine presenting a certificate/degree from a university that was closed over quality concerns! And, should HEC have brokered a blanket solution with other universities (who would be delighted to receive extra students anyway) instead of the affected students going about it individually? There are too many questions that need to be addressed in a manner that addresses all the stakeholder concerns. Maybe closing down a university may not be the best option after all. Concerned citizen

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Closure of universities raises many unanswered questions