KUCCPS: Why University Placement for 2024 KCSE Candidates is Delayed.
Six weeks after the announcement of the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results, candidates eligible for university admission remain in suspense as the course selection portal remains inaccessible.
The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has linked the delay to a recent High Court ruling that overturned the new university funding framework, which had been introduced in September 2023.
The court declared it unconstitutional, leaving the government without an alternative financing plan.
KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Mercy Wahome stated that the government has challenged the court’s decision and that the case is scheduled for hearing on February 24.
She explained that, in an effort to prevent a higher education funding crisis, an appeal had been filed, urging the court to halt the enforcement of the ruling.
Wahome expressed optimism that the verdict on Monday would bring clarity, allowing the placement process to move forward without further hitches.
She further assured that the university intake remains slated for September and that preparations would begin immediately upon receiving the court’s decision to ensure timely admissions.
However, concerns arise over potential complications should the Court of Appeal decline to grant a suspension order, forcing the government to explore alternative student funding mechanisms while time for application, selection, placement, and admission continues to dwindle.
University Admission Challenges and Delays
Government-sponsored students typically commence their university studies in September. In the 2024 KCSE examinations, 246,391 students attained a C+ or higher, qualifying them for university admission out of the 962,512 candidates who sat the exam.
The top scorers included 1,693 students who secured an A (Plain), a rise from the 1,216 recorded in 2023. Additionally, 7,743 candidates achieved an A-, 19,150 obtained a B+, 43,120 earned a B (Plain), 75,347 managed a B- (Minus), and 99,338 secured a C+ (Plus), the minimum requirement for university entry.
Ordinarily, the Education Cabinet Secretary instructs KUCCPS to begin the selection and placement process immediately after results are announced.
In the previous cycle, then Education CS Ezekiel Machogu had directed the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to swiftly transmit the results to KUCCPS, expediting the placement process.
This year, however, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has not yet issued instructions for KUCCPS to declare the available university slots and commence placements.
Universities are also expected to submit the number of available positions for various courses, ensuring transparency on approved programs and institutional capacity.
Prof. Daniel Mugendi, chairman of the vice-chancellors’ committee, stated that the institutions had already provided this data to the Commission for University Education (CUE), but KUCCPS had yet to release it to the public.
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Funding Model Debate Continues
The 2024 KCSE candidates represent the third cohort affected by the now-invalidated funding model, which had allocated financial aid based on students’ economic status.
Experts suggest that a possible solution would be reverting to the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) model, previously used to distribute funds to universities.
With uncertainty persisting, students and parents eagerly await a resolution that will determine their higher education prospects.
KUCCPS: Why University Placement for 2024 KCSE Candidates is Delayed.
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