STRATEGIZING ON COST: EFFECT OF PART TIME LECTURERS ON UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN KENYA

Abstract

University education in Kenya has witnessed a common cost cutting strategy – the use of part time lecturers. This is due to reduced government funding (public universities), and the increasing size of student enrollment. Numerous satellite campuses have therefore been established to cope with the situation. In return, this has led to cut throat competition in the academic sector, where enrolment in some Universities is very low. To realize profitability, cost cutting strategies have been adopted, inclusive, the use of part time faculty. The same is replicated in private Universities. This study sought to assess the effectiveness of Part time lecturers as a cost cutting strategy. A survey design was adopted. The target population was part time faculty in Kenyan Universities with campuses located in Nairobi Kenya. A sample of 130 part time faculty was used. Primary data was collected through self administered questionnaires. The study found that most universities employed part time faculty as a cost cutting strategy. It was established that part timers were not satisfied with their jobs and therefore were not adequately motivated, and lacked commitment in their work. This negatively impacts on their service delivery, which leads to a client exodus, and therefore less profitability. The study recommends that part time positions should be well regulated and adopted on a need basis rather than as a cost cutting strategy. Similarly, the study recommends policies to be enacted by the Universities so that part time staff is better co opted in the universities work force.