In recent years, the Ministry of Education has faced a severe challenge in placing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education applicants in universities and other institutions of higher learning.
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Cabinet Secretary George Magoha expressed disappointment with secondary schools and teachers in August last year, claiming that they failed to steer the 2020 Form Four applicants on relevant university and college courses.
Magoha was disappointed by KCSE candidates who failed to register for courses in Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVETs) institutes or universities when the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) results were released.
Rejected University Courses
Among the courses that have been on the spotlight for attracting a low number of applicants across several universities between 2021 and 2019 included Bachelor of Technology in Building Construction, Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, Theology, Bachelor of Science (Energy Technology), Bachelor of Technology in Renewable Energy and Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology.
Bachelor of Science (Oceanography), Bachelor of Science (Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development with IT) and Bachelor of Science in Animal Production.
Others included Bachelor of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Church Educational Ministries, Bachelor of Technology in Medical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology, Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Theology.
Bachelor of Science Horticulture, Bachelor of Science (Utilization & Sustainability of Arid, Bachelor of Agribusiness Management, Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Biology and Health) and Bachelor of Science (Botany).
Root Causes for Students Rejecting Courses
Magoha, in past addresses, noted that the issues stem from poor guidance by teachers.
“We have continued to observe low participation by secondary schools in this process. This is a bad indictment on our career as teachers who have failed to carry out their duty.
“I would understand if a student refuses to select courses but if a centre refuses, then action must be taken against the institution,” he stated in August 2021.
Investigations also detailed that the majority of the candidates pick courses after finishing Form Four, and thus were not guided well.
Another perennial issue is candidates selecting competitive courses in all the four KUCCPS slots.
Some candidates even select the same course in all four slots.
