831,026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) 2021 candidates have until April 1 to apply for placement in government-sponsored universities and colleges.
The application period for the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) began yesterday.
This is just two weeks before the Form Four national examination, which begins on March 14 and concludes on April 1.
“This is to notify school principals that the portal is now open for the 2021 application. Submit KCSE candidates’ course choices by April 1, 2022,” reads a notice by KUCCPS
Application fees will attract a fee of Sh500 for each student.
KUCCPS recently reviewed the application criteria, which will see cut-off points for university enrollment based on available housing and government funding.
When it comes to applications, students have a total of 18 options. There are six options for degree programs, four options for diploma programs, and a similar number of options for craft certificate programs. There are four more options for artisan certificate courses.
Candidates for degrees are expected to list their top four courses in order of priority. The first option has three slots for the same program (in three different universities).
The two-month application window serves as a wake-up call to teachers and parents, as reports indicate that some teachers failed to guide students through the course selection process prior to exams, fearing that some would not meet the required grades.
Teachers are expected to help candidates choose courses so that they do not make the common mistake of choosing high-ranking and competitive courses at top universities.
Candidates will, however, have the opportunity to revise the first and second courses after the KCSE results are released.
The second revision will only apply to candidates who do not qualify for any of their preferred options.
Students who do not receive a placement will not be charged for the second revision. The application fee paid during the first revision, however, will be applicable during the second revision.
Students applying for placement for the first time in the second course revision window, according to KUCCPs, will pay Sh1,500.
KUCCPS asked 95,757 students who took the KCSE between 2020 and 2021 and qualified for placement but did not enroll to reapply for courses last week.
Those targeted, according to KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Agnes Mercy Wahome, are applicants for diploma, certificate, and artisan courses.
Wahome stated that the government will sponsor all successful students, including practicing professionals who want to improve their skills by taking technical courses.
