Do University Parallel students and regular students have a grudge?

The parallel degree programs were first introduced by the University of Nairobi (UON) in 1998 to cater for a growing need in higher education.

The other public Universities quickly followed suit.  Previously, students who had missed out on joining public Universities could only join the few private Universities or universities abroad. The private Universities however did not have some courses which students perceived to be lucrative. Such courses were medicine, law and engineering. On the other hand, going abroad requires extensive financial planning, a feat that many Kenyans find hard to achieve. It is estimated that before the introduction of parallel degree courses, Kenyans were spending about kshs. 16 billion per year on educating their children abroad.

And in deed, the parallel degree programs have provided the much needed funds for Universities. The Universities are now coming up with new buildings, labs, hostels, buses and other equipment. On the other hand, the students who would previously have had their chances of advancement curtailed now have a chance to pursue their degree choices. (If they have money of course).

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