There are no ‘useless’ degrees, it depends on needs of the society

I disagree that when a university course does not attract applications from Form Four graduates it is irrelevant.

Relevance depends on several factors. First, our high schools do not have functional career sections to guide learners on university courses.

Many select a course on the basis of factors such as popularity of a career, job prospects and parental influence but not passion and self-interest.

Second, universities design great programmes but fail to market them. They should develop linkages with high schools and distribute course prospectuses so learners can make informed career decisions.

Third, some courses — such as medicine, law and engineering — are very popular with students. But has the large number of graduates in such fields helped to solve our nation’s challenges?

We still do not have enough doctors in local hospitals, despite the expansion of the health sector, with many working abroad. Even with huge infrastructural investment, we import engineers from China.

Lastly, our universities have extremely weak linkages with industry. Many graduates do not have industrial exposure or attachment to hone their skills.

They leave university with theoretical knowledge but no competency. Attachments make learning practical and interesting.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha, a professor to boot, should know that a degree is a universal qualification.

We train in universities to work in the world, not just Kenya, and what is considered irrelevant here could be relevant elsewhere.

In the era of regional integration and the global village, universities should offer globally competitive courses.

Rwanda needs teachers and, recently, President Paul Kagame ordered that priests study theology. Kenyan graduates can fill the gap.

As an educator in Kenya for almost 50 years, I differ with Prof Magoha on his intention to lop so-called irrelevant degrees.

The university is a forum where students are exposed to ideas and values at the deepest level, not a springboard for the job market.

It, ideally, creates a human being who is thoughtful, logical, socially aware, flexible and can adapt to the fluid job scenario. Practical skills are learnt on the job, not in the lecture room.

Courses like history, theology, philosophy and psychology are more necessary than ever and far from being less important than, say, business, law or IT. We are plagued by crooked accountants, cybercriminals and nitpicking lawyers.

In US universities, every degree course has a compulsory component of humanity studies. This does not stop the US from producing world-famous scientists, medics and financiers.

As one student said on TV recently, “Prof Magoha has ceased being a professor”! By seeking political popularity, he is doing incalculable damage. Kenya can’t afford to lose its soul to a misguided rush for relevance.