The Commission for University Education is considering placing limits on student admissions for specific degree programmes as part of efforts to address rising unemployment among graduates and better match training with the realities of the job market.
If implemented, the plan would allow the commission to set quotas for courses that produce the highest number of jobless graduates, particularly in the social sciences.
The proposal seeks to align university education with present and future labour needs and ease frustrations among thousands of young people who complete studies but struggle to find employment.
“Some universities are offering courses that are no longer market-driven, and that is one of the reasons CUE has intensified its monitoring of university curricula,” said CUE Chief Executive Prof Mike Kuria when he appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Education during an inspection visit.
He explained that although the commission continues to push universities to offer courses that match market trends, keeping pace with fast-changing labour demands remains a challenge.
Lawmakers criticised the regulator’s traditional approach of only accrediting courses submitted by universities instead of providing clear guidance on what the economy requires.
“The commission is still operating as the traditional CUE that only accredits courses brought before it, instead of advising universities on what the market demands,” said committee chairperson and Tinderet MP Julius Melly.
He called for a shift in how CUE operates, urging it to become more forward-looking in shaping university education to meet national priorities. Melly also faulted the commission’s 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, saying it does not adequately address the changing economic and employment environment.
“Your strategic plan does not respond to the shifting dynamics of the labour market. CUE is supposed to inform society of the direction we are taking, based on demand,” he added.
Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo supported the idea of introducing admission caps for courses with limited job prospects. “Why doesn’t CUE become proactive, study the market and give each university a quota on the number of students it can enrol in courses like education or other social sciences?” he asked.
He highlighted situations where public universities admit over 300 students in programmes where opportunities are already scarce, leaving many graduates struggling to find work. Capping enrolment is expected to encourage students to explore fields where demand is growing.
Luanda MP Dick Maungu said the issue goes beyond individual programmes and called for swift and broad reforms.
“We need to tailor our output so that it meets our demand. If you analyse the 37 public universities in this country, all of them are offering Bachelor of Education programmes. This is not sustainable,” he said.
Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap added that both course content and the capacity of teaching staff should be reviewed.
Prof Kuria acknowledged these concerns, admitting that some universities continue to run outdated programmes that do not match the current job market.