Half of Eligible Students Have Yet to Apply for University Placement – KUCCPS

Half of Eligible Students Have Yet to Apply for University Placement – KUCCPS

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services (KUCCPS) is urging qualified students to apply for degree programs promptly to avoid a last-minute rush.

John Oluoch, the KUCCPS director responsible for placement and career development, reported that with just 10 days remaining until the April 30 deadline, approximately half of the students eligible for university admission have submitted their applications.

Out of 246,000 eligible students, around 130,000 have applied for university placement. However, Oluoch reassured that there is no cause for concern.

He pointed out that this pattern is typical in Kenya, where many applicants tend to wait until the final day to finalize their choices. “I encourage students who have achieved a C+ or higher to apply early to avoid the last-minute scramble,” Oluoch advised.

Oluoch made these remarks during a sensitization and awareness campaign held in Nyamache, Bobasi Constituency, Kisii County, on Friday. He was joined by University of Nairobi lecturer Samuel Siringi and other local professionals.

“We can’t be alarmed that many candidates have yet to apply with only a few days left. This is a common situation, and what matters is that those who haven’t applied will still do so,” he stated.

The event also featured representatives from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), who engaged with nearly 1,000 prospective students preparing to enter higher education.

During the campaign, Oluoch emphasized that KUCCPS is conducting grassroots initiatives to ensure students receive comprehensive information about the application process and enrollment in various fields of study. “It is crucial that candidates aspiring to join a university are provided with accurate information on what is required of them and how to successfully pursue their career goals. Our teams are actively working across the country to achieve this,” he said.

Siringi, who hosted the open day, expressed concern that the large number of students who have yet to apply might end up making poor career choices due to the last-minute rush to submit their applications on the KUCCPS portal.

“The last-minute rush to register for courses can be detrimental, as students often lack sufficient time to explore the various programs that align with their interests,” Siringi noted.