Half of the qualified students have not yet applied for university placement, according to the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services (KUCCPS).
KUCCPS is urging students who meet the requirements to apply for degree programs now to avoid a last-minute rush.
John Oluoch, the director of placement and career development at KUCCPS, mentioned that with just 10 days left until the April 30 deadline, around 130,000 out of 246,000 qualified students have submitted their applications.
Oluoch reassured that this situation is not unusual in Kenya, as many students tend to wait until the last day to apply. He encouraged those who scored C+ and above to apply early to avoid the rush.
Oluoch spoke at an event in Nyamache, Kisii County, where he was joined by University of Nairobi professor Samuel Siringi and other local professionals. He stated that it is common for many students to delay their applications, but he is confident that those who haven’t applied will do so soon.
During the event, representatives from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) interacted with nearly 1,000 candidates preparing to join higher education institutions.
Oluoch emphasized the importance of providing students with accurate information about the application process and their study options. He mentioned that KUCCPS is actively working to ensure students have access to the necessary information.
Siringi pointed out that many students who wait until the last minute might end up choosing the wrong courses because they don’t have enough time to explore their options. He highlighted the disadvantages of rushing to register for courses, as it can lead to poor choices.