The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research released a ministerial ordinance prohibiting the registration of new students for the 2018-2019 academic year in three private universities and seven higher institutes.
Gilbert Becaud Njangwa: “Some universities and institutes have already enrolled students in first year”.
Gilbert Bécaud Njangwa, representative of one of the institutes suspended, says he is surprised by the decision made by the ministry. “In a meeting with the Minister of Higher Education held on 9 October 2018, we have agreed that the universities will slowly follow the recommendations and give reports after 6 months”.
Mr. Njangwa says having their own infrastructures, appropriate libraries and competent university staff meeting the requirements established by the government were some of the recommendations. He says this could not be a reason to forbid the registration of new students as the universities have qualified teachers and basic needs for universities to educate them. “The recommendations are about things that can be done slowly without disturbing the students’ learning,” he says.
He adds that some universities and institutes have already registered first year students and don’t see any valid reason to chase them. He therefore calls on the minister to review his decision.
Mr. Njangwa also says some universities have been operating for years under the agreement of the same ministry that abruptly suspended them. “Institut International Libre d’Afrique has been operating for16 years. It moved from the former education system to BMD system under the ministry’s agreement”.
The suspended universities and institutes are asked to let students who have already started their studies finish them but not to register new students until further notice.
IWACU Open Data
