As admission letters eagerly await thousands of students across the country, a concerning trend has emerged from the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) portal. Despite meeting the crucial C+ cut-off mark for university entry, over 50,000 qualified students did not apply for placement. This figure, broken down, reveals that more than 42,000 actively chose not to apply, while 7,000 who did apply were ultimately not placed.
This revelation comes as the Ministry of Education makes significant strides in reviewing and revising university costs downwards, by an impressive 40 percent. So, why are so many qualified students opting out, even as higher education becomes more affordable?
Shifting Sands: TVETs, KMTCs, and New Aspirations
The Ministry of Education, through Dr. Julius Ogambo, has shed some light on these intriguing statistics, pointing to a diversification of educational aspirations among Kenyan youth. "Of the students who scored C+ and above, we have 7,640 who elected to go to TVET institutions rather than university," Dr. Ogambo stated. "We have 6,750 who chose to join KMTC and other institutions and primary TTCs."
This indicates a growing recognition of the value and career opportunities offered by Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTCs), and Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs). While traditional university courses like engineering and medicine remained top choices for those who did apply, there's a clear surge in interest for other vital fields.
Surge in Demand for Practical Skills
The data reveals a notable increase in applications for primary school teaching diplomas, which attracted a remarkable 20,786 applications against a capacity of 13,823. Out of these, a substantial 11,636 students were successfully placed in the program. This highlights a renewed interest in foundational education and the teaching profession.
Furthermore, KMTCs across the country witnessed exceptionally high demand, with 52,725 students seeking admission. Nursing emerged as the most sought-after course within KMTC, reflecting the critical need for healthcare professionals. However, the high demand meant that only 25,034 applicants were ultimately given chances. Other in-demand KMTC programs include Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Medical Emergency Technician, and Community Health, among others. In total, 25,034 students secured places in KMTC programs, including 6,750 students who achieved C+ and above in the 2024 KCSE examination.
Making Education Accessible: Lowered Costs and Open Portals
The government's commitment to making education more accessible is a key factor in these changing dynamics. The significant reduction in university course costs (between 15% and 40%) is a direct result of a revised "means testing instrument." This updated framework now includes more comprehensive parameters to assess a student's actual financial situation, such as previously paid school fees, farm size, medical bills, and even applications for the Hustler Fund.
"We are capturing all these in order to place students as close as possible to their actual financial situation. The goal is to make education as affordable and accessible to all," Dr. Ogambo affirmed.
For those students who are still considering their options, the KUCCPS portal remains open for placement applications, offering a continued opportunity to pursue higher education. Additionally, the Higher Education Fund portals are also open for funding applications, ensuring financial support is available to deserving students.
