University chiefs have proposed tougher requirements for students looking to study computer science, ICT, economics, statistics and finance.
In a proposal to review the placement criteria, the stakeholders have softened admissions to agricultural, building and construction programmes and some education degrees.
The changes will first affect students sitting the 2021 KCSE exams and will join university in September 2022.
In the changes, computer science, ICT, economics, statistics and finance will now have a new requirement of either English or Kiswahili with a student required to score at least a C (plain) to qualify for placement under government sponsorship.
Previously, the students only needed mathematics as the subject determining their placement to this course.
Bachelor of Science with Education will now have more lenient terms with a proposal to lower the entry requirement for Biology, Physics or Chemistry from a C+ (plus) to a C (plain).
The requirement of mathematics to pursue a Bachelor of Education ECD has also been scrapped off and prospective students will now need to score a C (plain) in either English or Kiswahili.
Students who want to pursue Environmental Sciences will now have a wider scoop of subjects to secure a place in universities with the introduction of Geography as an alternative to Chemistry and Agriculture as an alternative to Biology.
This is viewed as a softer landing as more students perform better in Agriculture and Geography compared to Mathematics and Chemistry.
The course has also introduced English or Kiswahili as a requirement.
For Bachelor of Education Business Studies, the bar has been set high with the placement agency proposing a review to set the entry requirement of Mathematics or Business studies at a C+ (plus) from the previous D+ (plus).
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science will now be required to have only scored a C (plain) in one of the three sciences—Biology, Physics or Chemistry from the previous C+ (plus)
Degree programmes in Fisheries and Aquaculture requirement has also been revised downwards and will now need a C (plain) rather than the previous C (plus) in Biology and Chemistry.
Students who will wish to pursue ICT-related degree programs will now have scored at least C (plain) in English or Kiswahili. Previously the students only required Mathematics.
Those studying Computer Science will now need to get at least Grade C (plain) in English or Kiswahili, previously, only two subject—Maths and Physics— combinations were required to pursue this course.
For those who will pursue Applied Statistics, they will need English, Physics, and Mathematics to pursue this course.
Previously the students only required Mathematics.
Economics, Statistics, Finance, and Operations Research has introduced English or Kiswahili as a new requirement with the student required to score at least a C (plain).
Law, Education, Engineering, and Health programs entry requirements will remain unchanged.
This is because they are under the supervision of regulators who dictate the requirement for qualification of students who wish to pursue these courses.
However, it will be a reprieve for students seeking to study Community Health and Health Records after a proposal to lower the entry requirements of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics to a C (plain) from C (plus).
For those seeking to study Animal Health and Production, Agriculture has been introduced as an alternative to Mathematics.
This is viewed as a softer landing as more students perform better in Agriculture compared to Mathematics.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
