Students from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) are facing a dilemma after learning that a course they have been pursuing, Public Health, is yet to be accredited.
Lucy Wangui Muriuki, set to graduate in 2024, is among those who have been left devastated by the discovery that their qualifications may be meaningless in the job market.
In an interview with The Kenya Times, expressed her disappointment and frustration after learning that the course is not officially recognized.
“All the years, all the hard work, it feels like it was for nothing,” she said.
For her and her classmates, the revelation means they won’t be able to secure licenses to practice or find legitimate employment in the public health sector.
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How TUK Students Made the Discovery
The reality came to light when the Public Health Degree and Diploma students, including Lucy, began seeking placements for their mandatory attachments.
According to Lucy, the university’s Public Health department asked the students to secure placements in rural facilities without explanation.
While some followed this directive, Lucy opted for a placement within the city centre and had to go to City Hall in July 2023, for an official letter, only to be told that TUK students were ineligible.
“When I learned that other students were facing the same issue, the full weight of the situation hit me.”
With no clear path forward, some of the students have dropped out or left school entirely, feeling sidelined by the school.
“The Department insisted that we go for attachment in the rural areas because they knew we would find out. I struggled until I found a place to do my attachment two weeks after the attachment began.”
“After the attachment, two of my friends dropped the course because it was not easy for them during the attachment period,” she said.
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What Happens After Graduation
Lucy, who had been eagerly anticipating her graduation, is now unsure about her future in the medical profession.
The lack of accreditation means that, despite her dedication to studies, and paying full fees, her qualifications are not recognized by the Public Health Officers Training Council (PHOTC), the official body overseeing the public health profession in Kenya.
“When we confronted our lecturers, they told us that there were some requirements we were to meet for the course to be accredited.”
The requirements include the school furnishing and organizing the laboratory with the necessary equipment, having the lecturers recognized by the PHOTC board, and ensuring the lecturers follow the correct curriculum as directed by the board.
Also, the school must have a separate class for the course.
“I can confirm that none of the above action has been taken. It is so ironic because no student was allowed to sit for exams unless all fee balances were cleared,” she added.
The Kenya Times reached out to the university Vice Chancellor Professor Benedict Mutua for comment but got no response by publication time.
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