KUCCPS Portal to Open Next Week for University Placement.
A total of 246,391 students who met the university admission criteria in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations will soon begin their application process next week.
Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) CEO Agnes Mercy Wahome stated that the exact opening date for the application portal would be announced once the board grants approval.
Ageness Wahome confirmed that universities had submitted their capacities, totaling approximately 300,000 slots, surpassing the number of students eligible for admission. She assured that all qualified applicants who submit applications would secure placement.
Most universities commence their academic calendar between August and September.
Government Assurances on Portal Opening
During an appearance before the National Assembly’s Committee on Education, Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Ogamba affirmed that the portal would be accessible before the month’s end.
He highlighted past uncertainties regarding KUCCPS operations and university funding, particularly after the shelving of the current funding model due to a court ruling. He explained that discussions had taken place, and an agreement was reached to ensure the portal opens as planned while related concerns are addressed.
Students awaiting placement have faced uncertainty due to challenges surrounding funding and admissions. The situation arose after a High Court ruling in December 2023 overturned the government’s funding model introduced that year.
As a result, uncertainty persists regarding financial support for incoming students and those in their second and third years of study.
KUCCPS attempted to appeal the decision, but its request to suspend the ruling and proceed with student placements was unsuccessful.
Programme Costs and Student Funding
Dr. Wahome noted that, in compliance with the court’s ruling, the KUCCPS application portal would not display the costs of academic programmes, a practice followed over the past two years.
She clarified that KUCCPS is solely responsible for student placement, whereas funding falls under the Universities Fund, which provides tuition support.
Under the previous model, programme costs were displayed on the portal for students to review before applying. They were then required to seek scholarships from the Universities Fund and tuition loans from the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb), which also provided maintenance loans.
Students enrolling in private universities remain eligible for tuition loans but no longer receive upkeep loans since the government ceased sponsoring students in private institutions.
Shift in Private University Sponsorship
In a letter dated January 15, 2024, Mr. Ogamba directed Dr. Wahome to exclude government-sponsored students from private universities, citing President William Ruto’s directive during the fifth graduation ceremony at Scotts Christian University.
The policy of placing government-sponsored students in private universities was introduced in 2016. However, the government still owes private universities over Sh45 billion in unpaid tuition fees for students placed in these institutions, including those who have already graduated.
Mr. Ogamba reiterated that this directive aligns with the student-centred funding model, which delinks placement from funding. Under this system, students admitted to public universities qualify for both scholarships and loans.
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Last year, President Ruto appointed a committee to review the funding model. According to government sources, Mr. Ogamba has already submitted the committee’s report to the President. However, no action can be taken until the court case is resolved.
The scrapped funding model appeared to influence student choices, with many opting for private universities instead of public institutions. KUCCPS placement data from the two years the model was in effect supports this trend.
KUCCPS Portal to Open Next Week for University Placement.
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