Has Moi University been producing half baked lawyers?
The Council of Legal Education has ordered Moi University to close its school of law for failing to meet requirements to offer the course.
The decision has thrown into jeopardy the future of 1,500 students.
In a letter to Vice-Chancellor Richard Mibey, the council said Moi University did not have the capacity to offer law courses. It ordered the closure after an inspection on August 28.
In the September 23 letter, the council CEO Kulundu Bitonye said Moi University performed poorly during the inspection of facilities and resources used to offer the law programmes.
SCORED POORLY
“Although the council noted that efforts have been expended and improvements made, the score attained during the inspection was 36.5 per cent, which does not meet the threshold of 67 per cent for full accreditation. It is noteworthy that the institution has scored poorly in all areas,” says the letter.
According to the council, the provisional accreditation licence upon which the school of law was granted the authority to conduct education and training expired on September 2.
The council demanded that the university submit a closure plan in the next two months.
It ordered Moi University to put in place a plan for either teaching out current students or transferring them to licensed institutions. The university is also required to devise a management plan for academic staff.
An undergraduate at the law school pays up to Sh160,000 a year. In the past, lecturers have gone on strike demanding pay.
GREENLIGHT
Commission for University Education CEO David Some said professional agencies give the greenlight for courses offered in universities.
“We approve a programme in a particular university if the professional body of that field gives the university a go-ahead,” said Prof Some.
Mr Henry Lugulu, dean of School of Law said the institution had the capacity to offer legal training.
“We are in discussions with the council and other agencies. We are handling the situation,” he said.