This archive report was first published on 22 June 2021.
As the 2020 KCSE placement data reveals, 15,547 students who scored C+ and above chose to pursue diploma and certificate courses in technical institutions, such as plumbing, rather than opting for university degrees.
According to the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), this trend is a response to the job market's demand for technical graduates, who are getting employed faster than their degree-holding counterparts.
Additionally, 10,707 candidates who met the minimum qualifications did not apply for degree courses, prompting KUCCPS to reopen its course selection portal for another round of revisions.
“All efforts are being made to track 10,707 candidates with C+ and above who failed to apply for courses in universities ‘in the spirit of leaving no one behind’,” said KUCCPS chief executive Agnes Wahome.
Wahome also advised students to consider the course they desire rather than the university, as this often leads to less competition and a higher chance of securing a spot in their preferred program.
