By Irene Githinji and Brian Okoth

Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, Theology, Bachelor of Science (Energy Technology) and Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology are among the degree courses taught in Kenyan public universities that received either a few or zero applications by last year’s 122, 000-plus qualified KCSE candidates.

The other programmes that attracted little attention include: Bachelor of Technology in Building Construction, Bachelor of Technology in Renewable Energy and Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, among others.

The courses that received zero applications, according to the universities placement body, KUCCPs, include: Bachelor of Science (Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development with IT) offered at Kisii University, Bachelor of Science in Animal Production at University of Embu and Bachelor of Science (Oceanography) at Pwani University.

Courses which absorbed most applicants

More than half of the 122, 821 KCSE candidates, who attained mean grade C+ (plus) and above in last year’s national tests, will pursue bachelor’s degree courses in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), a report by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) shows.

The report says 66, 661 learners (54.27 per cent) will join the STEM courses, “which are critical for producing skilled workforce required for the attainment of the ‘Big Four’ agenda”.

The other fraction – 56, 170 learners (45.73 per cent) – will pursue courses in Arts and Humanities, indicates the KUCCPS report.

Male candidates account for 63.41 per cent (42, 267) of the students who will pursue STEM programmes, whereas 36.59 per cent (24, 394) are female.

“Some degree programmes in some universities did not attract applicants. The Ministry wishes to direct the universities offering those programmes to establish why they are not attractive, and implement corrective measures,” said Education Minister Prof. George Magoha while launching the KUCCPS report at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development in Nairobi on Tuesday, June 2.

The Ministry says applicants can know which universities and courses they have been placed to by “accessing the placement details through their respective portals on the KUCCPS website, or they can be notified through Short Text Messages”.

The CS revealed that 563, 544 candidates, who scored C (plain) and below in KCSE 2019, were eligible for placement to TVET programmes. However, only 276, 163 capacities were available in TVET institutions across the country.

“Following the successful completion of the placement process, 88, 724 got placed in TVET institutions. Of those placed in TVET, 53, 726 will be admitted to diploma; 29, 112 to certificate and 5, 886 to artisan certificate courses,” said Magoha.

On the disparity (276K available chances at TVET institutions, and only 88K got placements), the CS said: “The TVET number is expected to increase once the Ministry receives returns from institutions where students may have registered directly. It is also noted that KUCCPS undertakes continuous placement of students to TVET institutions, which will further grow the enrollment.”

The CS revealed that despite 125, 463 candidates qualifying for bachelor’s degree courses, 2,632 of applicants in this group opted for diploma courses in TVET institutions.

“They were placed appropriately. This number has been growing over time. In 2019, the number was 1, 269. The growing number of these ‘TVET champions’ is a clear indication that concerted efforts to improve enrollment in TVET courses are yielding fruits.”

Three hundred and thirty one (331) persons living with disabilities were placed to their first-choice courses in universities and TVET institutions, said the CS.

“In addition, specific programmes cut-off points were lowered by two for applicants from marginalised regions, and 1, 638 benefited. A similar concession benefited 679 applicants under gender affirmative action (624 female and 55 male). The total number of applicants who benefited from affirmative action are therefore 2, 648,” said Magoha.

Fifty seven per cent (70, 050) of the 122, 821 candidates placed for degree courses in universities were male, whereas nearly 43 per cent (52, 781) were female.

“In TVET, the male students are 39, 695 (44.74 per cent) while the female students are 49, 029 (55.26 per cent,” said Magoha.

The minister gave hope to the learners who are seeking to change their courses upon being admitted to the institutions of higher learning.

“KUCCPS will conduct inter-institution transfer process online following the laid down procedures while ensuring adherence to timelines for students who may wish to change their programmes and institutions.”

The CS further directed universities and TVETs to expedite the admission process of qualified applicants.

At least Six hundred and eight nine thousand (689, 007) candidates sat last year’s KCSE.

With only 211, 545 students of the 689, 007 (30.7 per cent) placed in institutions of higher learning (universities and TVETs combined), the fate of 477, 462 learners (69.3 per cent) remains unclear.