Effects of Mass University Enrolment on Non-Academic Activities: The Case of the University of Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Public universities in Kenya have recorded high enrolment rates in the past two decades due to pressure from the expanded primary and secondary education and increased demand for university education among the working population. At the University of Nairobi, the rapid growth of student population has resulted in a number of challenges, including inadequacy of physical, human and financial resources. Recognizing the critical contribution of non-academic activities such as administrative procedures, financial governance and student quality of life, to academic performance and research achievements in any university, this study investigated the impact of high student enrolments (referred to in this paper as massification) on non-academic activities at the University of Nairobi. The study used both primary and secondary data; primary data were collected through in-depth interviews with university staff, whereas secondary data were obtained from departmental records and key policy documents. The study found that massification had resulted in numerous administrative challenges, financial and governance challenges, and affected the quality of on-campus life for students due to overstretched accommodation, health, catering and games facilities. To address the challenges, the university implemented a number of initiatives including, devolution of funds to cost centres, double-decking and universal computerization to increase efficiency. The study recommends the need for more responsive administrative structures.

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