Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has called upon vice chancellors to uphold the quality and relevance of academic programs offered by universities, emphasizing the need to attract both students and partners on a global scale.

Machogu, speaking few weeks ago during the release of the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results, highlighted a significant increase in the number of students qualifying for university positions. “The 22 per cent represent 202,000 students against 173,000 students in 2022,” he stated, underscoring the growing pool from which universities will draw their student body.

The Education CS directed the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) to align entry requirements with the revised grading system of the 2023 KCSE results, ensuring that candidates are not disadvantaged by the new reforms.

He further urged KUCCPS to conduct a comprehensive career awareness campaign to familiarize students with the entry requirements for both universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions under the Higher Education Funding Model.

Additionally, Machogu instructed KUCCPS to implement measures allowing 2023 KCSE candidates interested in joining TVET institutions to apply for their courses ahead of the March 2024 admissions, demonstrating the government’s commitment to facilitating access to diverse educational pathways.