More than 600,000 students who qualified for placement in institutions of higher learning this year did not apply, according to Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement (KUCCPS). From approximately 895,000 students, only 258,935 were placed.
KUCCPS CEO, Dr Agnes Wahome, said applying to universities and colleges is not mandatory, adding that she is aware that some students choose to join the military, others go abroad and some join non-governmental programmes.
“An additional 11,000 students have opted to study diploma courses even though they qualified for degree courses”
KUCCPS.
This year, there were 1.07 million places available across universities, TVETs, TTCs and KMTC. KMTC received students under KUCCPS placement for the first time, with 19,653 students being taken in.
Of the students placed, 153,274 will join public and private universities while 75,718 will attend public and private TVETs. 10, 263 will train as either primary or secondary school teachers.
47,872 students who qualified for university admissions to bachelor’s degree courses opted for diploma courses instead.
An additional 11, 000 students have opted to study diploma courses even though they qualified for degree courses.
KUCCPS removed Mathematics and English as compulsory requirements for Bachelor of Education Arts — a change that made the course gain more traction.
“So when we removed this we saw a lot of students apply for that. Over 30, 000 students have gone in to pursue education,” Wahome said.
According to KUCCPS male students dominate degree programmes while a majority of those placed in TVETs are female.
Students who are displeased with their placement can apply for transfer from June 5. Those already placed are encouraged to apply for funding from the Higher Education Funds Board.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education Dr Ezekiel Machogu released the KUCCPS placement results yesterday.
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