• KUCCPS is expected to place all qualified 2022 KCSE candidates to various programmes in universities, colleges, national polytechnics and TVETs based on merit and choice.
• CS Machogu said the placement service will also publish the total fees details of all programmes in the different institutions.
Image: WINNIE WANJIKU
Education CS Ezekiel Machogu has confirmed there is enough capacity in institutions to admit all students who will apply through KUCCPS.
He said this on Wednesday when he officially unveiled the placement of 2022 KCSE candidates into universities and colleges.
All 173,127 candidates who attained the minimum university entry grade of C+ qualify to be placed for degree programmes.
Those who scored C plain and below will be absorbed in TVET institutions across the country.
Under this new system, KUCCPS is expected to place all qualified candidates to various programmes in universities, colleges, national polytechnics and TVETs based on merit and choice.
Machogu said the placement service will also publish the total fees details of all programmes in the different institutions.
Speaking during the Nairobi Innovation Week inaugural ceremony, CS Machogu commissioned the opening of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service portal.
The CS directed the placement agency to open the portal to allow all 2022 KCSE candidates to start applying for courses they wish to study.
"KUCCPS has received programmes and capacities from 39 public universities, 33 private universities, three secondary teachers training colleges and 205 public TVET colleges for the 2023/2024 placement cycle," Machogu said.
This comes exactly two weeks after President William Ruto announced a new funding model for students joining universities, colleges, national polytechnics and TVETs starting this year.
Ruto had earlier on said the government will fully cater for education costs of vulnerable and extremely needy students who comprise 29 per cent of the student population joining university and TVETs this year.
This is through government scholarships, loans and bursaries.
"For the first time, students whose families are at the bottom of the pyramid shall enjoy equal opportunity in accessing university and TVET education. Their households shall not make any contribution towards the education of their children," Ruto said.
He said those joining TVETs will receive government scholarships up to a maximum of 50 per cent and 30 per cent in loans. Their households will pay 20 per cent of the costs.
The President announced an increase in university education funding to Sh84.6 billion in the 2023/24 financial year, a 56 per cent rise from the current budget.
Machogu said one of the key highlights of this new model is that the government has delinked the process of placement of students to higher learning institutions from funding with effect from the 2023-2024 placement cycle.
The placement process will affect 869,782 candidates who sat for the 2022 KCSE examination.
KUCCPS, through their CEO Mercy Wahome, had directed all vice chancellors and principals of university constituent colleges to declare the cost of their academic programmes.
This was with an exemption of cost of accommodation and meals.
“This will guide students in making choices based on the income levels of their households, programme of study and institution that they wish to join,” Machogu said.
Upon selection, students will be given the option to apply for government scholarships from the Universities Fund.
Placed students will also have an opportunity to apply for loans from the Higher Education Loans Board.
“This will be allocated upon using a foolproof the “Means Testing Instrument.” This tool will be used in assessing students to be awarded scholarships,” Machogu said.
Further, the ministry has also directed KUCCPS to partner with Huduma Kenya Secretariat to ensure students can apply for their courses from all the 52 Huduma Centres countrywide.
The placement agency is expected to mount a robust communication and sensitisation exercise to ensure all students have details of the application process.
“I expect the exercise to be complete by August 2023 to allow students to report to their respective institutions in September,” Machogu said.
“I understand the placement agency has already trained all the relevant officers at the Huduma Centres on how to offer necessary assistance to all students in the application process.”
He added that KUCCPS officers will be sent out to selected universities and colleges in every county where they will be available to students, parents and the public for personalised support and assistance.
The CS however reiterated that students who will select courses in public universities will be eligible to access both the government scholarships and loans.
Those who select private universities will be eligible to government loans only.
“The whole idea is premised on the fact that each student should be treated based on the level of their need and that no deserving student should be denied an opportunity to acquire higher education and training in an institution of their choice,” the CS said.