As the government relaxes eligibility standards for degree courses, universities and colleges may see a drain on their resources.
The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) is expected to assess and verify the standards for placing students in universities, which will result in an influx of qualified candidates.
Despite the anticipated increase in enrollment, there has been no significant expansion of university and college infrastructure capacity, nor is an increase in government funding envisaged.
“It is also my desire that, among other things, KUCCPS will consider the cut-off point for joining universities on the basis of available accommodation and government capitation.” University Education PS Simon Nabukwesi said.
He was speaking during the KUCCPS Stakeholders Forum for Verification of Placement Criteria for Degree Courses.
Merit-based change
According to PS, the review was prompted by the introduction of new courses and changes in the job market.
Since the last assessment of degree placement standards in 2017, he said, the education system has seen improvement and development.
“The implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has now begun and the time has come to align higher education and prepare it for CBC graduates,” the PS said.
In addition, Nabukwesi said that after the evaluation process a sensitization drive would be conducted for secondary school students to select university courses based on their talents and abilities.
“You identify the talents in the students and motivate them to choose the most appropriate curriculum for the right training. Many schools do not have booklets and do not bother to look them up to guide the students.
According to KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Mercy Wahome, the criteria will recognize sectors such as agriculture and education, where many students are deprived of the minimum subject requirements to enroll in colleges.
Dr. Wahome said that the review is in line with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) direction as it emphasizes the competencies and talents of the students in course selection.
The selection criteria are also intended to address the gap in minimum subject requirements for university admission between study professional groups and the University Education Commission (CUE). KUCCPS to revise cut-off marks for joining universities
