In a move aiming to increase access to higher education, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has directed the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) to revise their university and college entry points to align with the recently implemented KCSE grading system. This new system, first applied to the 2023 KCSE exam, streamlines the calculation of final grades by reducing mandatory subjects from five to two.
“The objective is to ensure that more students get to study courses of their choice in universities and colleges,” stated Machogu during the announcement of the 2023 KCSE results. This simplified grading system offers several key benefits:
- Reduced Pressure: With only Mathematics and one language subject (English, Kiswahili, or Kenyan Sign Language) mandatory, students have greater flexibility to focus on excelling in subjects aligned with their desired fields of study.
- Broader Opportunities: By considering the five best-performing subjects after the two mandatory ones, the system acknowledges individual strengths and expands potential program choices for students.
- Increased Access: The reform is expected to lead to a rise in the number of students qualifying for university, diploma, and TVET training at both certificate and artisan levels. This opens doors for more Kenyans to pursue their chosen career paths.
To ensure a smooth transition under the new system, Machogu also instructed KUCCPS to launch a comprehensive career awareness campaign. This initiative aims to educate 2023 KCSE candidates about the diverse course options available at universities, colleges, and TVET institutions, helping them make informed decisions about their future studies.
The alignment of entry points with the new KCSE grading system represents a significant step towards increased access to higher education in Kenya. By recognizing individual strengths and offering greater flexibility, the reform holds promise for a more inclusive and diverse educational landscape, empowering students to pursue their academic ambitions and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
How the New KCSE Grading System Works
In the New KCSE Grading System, your final grade is calculated based on at least seven subjects.
The calculation considers:
- Mathematics
- Your best score in one of the languages (English, Kiswahili, or Sign Language) and
- The top five scores in the other subjects where you achieved the highest marks
Your overall grade is determined by combining the scores from these seven subjects.