In recent years, the Ministry of Education has faced a serious challenge in keeping Kenya Certificates of Secondary Education applicants in universities and other institutions of higher education.
Cabinet Secretary George Magoha in August last year expressed frustration with secondary schools and teachers claiming they failed to run 2020 Form Four applicants on relevant university and college courses.
Magoha was disappointed with KCSE candidates who failed to register for technical and vocational educational training (TVET) institutes or courses in universities when Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) results were released.
*Rejected University Courses*
Courses in the headlines for attracting low numbers of applicants to many universities between 2021 and 2019 include Bachelor of Technology in Building Construction, Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, Theology, Bachelor of Science (Energy Technology), Bachelor of Technology. Bachelor of Technology in Renewable Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology.
Bachelor of Science (Ocean Science), Bachelor of Science (Aquatic Resource Conservation and Development with IT) and Bachelor of Science in Animal Production.
Others include a Bachelor of Arts in Counseling Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts in Church Educational Ministries, a Bachelor of Technology in Medical Engineering, a Bachelor of Science in Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Theology.
Bachelor of Science Horticulture, Bachelor of Science (Utilization and Sustainability of Arid, Bachelor of Agribusiness Management, Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Biology and Health) and Bachelor of Science (Botany).
Root reasons for students rejecting courses.
Magoha had said in previous speeches that this problem arises because of the poor guidance of teachers.
“We continue to observe low participation by secondary schools in this process. It is a bad accusation on the careers of those who have failed to perform their duty as teachers.
In August 2021 he said, “I will understand that if a student refuses to opt for courses, but if a center refuses, action should be taken against the institute.”
The investigation also detailed that most of the candidates choose courses after completing Form Four, and as such were not guided well.
Another perennial issue is the candidates opting for competitive courses in all the four KUCCPS slots.
Some candidates also choose the same course in all the four slots.
