Joyce Lugulu and Joseph Katwa

Abstract

Sustainable economic development is a function of skilled human resource and a product of education. Governments aim at producing human resource through provision of globally competitive, quality, inclusive university education with improved completion rates. The Government of Kenya has broadened access to higher education by implementing Free and Compulsory Basic Education and waived fees paid for exit national examinations. These policies opened doors for an increasing population of bright but needy students to access university education, however, completion rates remain an elusive uphill task for majority of them. This paper addresses the impact of deferments of studies by bright needy students in public universities.  The target population was 283, consisting of 277 students, 3 deans of schools and 3 deans from students’ affairs departments. The study utilized mixed methods with a survey design and purposive sampling approach. Data was collected through document analysis, questionnaire, focused group discussions (FGD) and interviews; and analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings indicated that the major reasons for deferments were financial constraints (59.3%) and fear of failure (42.6%). The study recommended introduction of deferment scholarships, food tickets, regular appeals for internal and external assistance and introduction of a unit to address plight of these students. The study concluded that deferments cause depression, dropouts and delayed completion rates negating the purpose of providing inclusive higher education with improved completion rates.

Key Words:  Higher Education, Deferments, Completion rates

Contact Author: Dr. Joyce Musoga Lugulu, Moi University, School of Medicine.

To cite this article:Lugulu, M.J  (2019).Impact of Deferments of Study by Undergraduate Students in Public Universities in Kenya: A Survey of Uasin Gishu County, Kenya., Journal of African Studies in Educational Management and Leadership  Vol: 11, May-August 2019, 22-38