George Magoha, the Education Cabinet Secretary has begun the process of scrapping 10 courses from Kenyan Universities.
Speaking during the release of university placement results at Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) the CS disclosed that the decision was informed by fewer candidates who sought to pursue the courses with some courses attracting zero applications and subsequent placements.
As a result, Magoha ordered an audit into the 10 courses with the aim of dropping them altogether.
These courses include Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, Theology, Bachelor of Science (Energy Technology), Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology, Bachelor of Technology in Building Construction, Bachelor of Technology in Renewable Energy and Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering.
The others are 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.
Some of the affected universities include Egerton, Masai Mara, Maseno, Masinde Muliro among others with some of the non-placement having a capacity of up to 100 students.
In his order, the CS asked the universities that offered the courses to find out reasons for the low application rates and seek remedial measures.
In his address, the CS also challenged institutions of higher learning to continue offering online classes noting that it was a step in the right direction in helping stem the spread of Covid-19.
“The ministry wishes to direct the universities offering those programs to establish why they are not attractive and implement corrective measures.
“Universities and colleges have been asked to contact their respective students and give them joining instructions and fast-tract the start of their academic journey given that most universities have continued with online learning during this era of Covid-19 restrictions,” stated Magoha.
During the unveiling, the CS announced that only a total of 125, 463 students who scored a grade of C+ and above in the 2019 KCSE exams qualified to join universities around the country for degree programs.
The data also showed that a total of 563,544 students who sat for 2019 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) missed university slots on government-sponsored programs.
He also revealed a number of students who had scored C+ and above opted against joining Universities and enrolled in Technical Vocational Education and Training Institutions (TVET).
“Over 125,000 students scored a minimum of C+ which is what was required to move into University education.
“The most important thing that I have noticed is that a significant number of students with C+ have opted to join the TVET course,” he stated.
