Since time immemorial, the Kenyan education system has followed a noticeable pattern, particularly for those transitioning into universities from high schools.
The results students achieve in their KCSE examinations have traditionally played a crucial role in shaping their career choices.
Grades like A, A- and B+ were commonly associated with prestigious faculties such as medicine, engineering and architecture, implying a strong correlation between high grades and such fields.
However, this narrative has seemingly taken an unprecedented turn. The Kenya Universities and Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) released the official student placements on Monday, July 31st.
Education CS Ezekiel Machogu announced 285,698 students had applied for KUCCPS placement into colleges and universities.
Of the batch 140,107 students were placed into bachelor programs, 144,500 were allotted to TVET institutions and 560 applicants were slotted into Secondary Teacher Training Institutes.
“A total of 9,673 applicants who qualified for degree courses chose to be placed in TVET institutions,” the CS was quoted stating during the release.
An alumnus of the Pangani Girls High School in Nairobi who scored A- in last year’s KCSE was selected to study for a Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Despite slightly missing the dream grade (A) she will study at a TVET institution.
“The message notified me that I had been offered a place at the Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) to study Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics. I scored A- in last year’s KCSE and I was expecting to be booked for the course I had selected,” she confided to Citizen TV.
With an impressive AGP of 78, the bright student now faces the prospect of missing out on her dream course after KUCCPS dashed her hopes with the placement.
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Dismayed by the happenings, she bravely made her way to the KUCCPS offices in Nairobi, seeking a review of her placement.
Her efforts however bore no fruits as she was turned away and asked to return a few days later.
The fear of ending up in a TVET for a Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics has left her emotionally shattered, as she had set her heart on pursuing a degree instead.
This disparity between her aspiration and the allocation she received may mean that the young girl may undertake a course that fails to commensurate with her educational capability.
Despite the option of pursuing parallel studies at the university, it remains a distant possibility for her. The financial burden that comes with such a choice might prove insurmountable for her parents.
“Even if I return next week, I will find all the reasonable courses taken. I now don’t know which program or university I will take. If I chose to go the parallel way, then I may not make it due to my parent’s financial challenges,” the young girl noted.