The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services (KUCCPS) has extended the deadline for placement application for 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education – KCSE candidates.
In a statement on Friday, February 16, KUCCPS CEO Dr. Agnes Mercy Wahome said they had moved the deadline to February 26, 2024.
According to Dr Wahome, no qualified candidate would be left behind.
“The deadline for the ongoing placement application has been extended to February 26, 2024.
“I take this opportunity to assure all those seeking training opportunities through the KUCCPS portal that no one will be left behind,” Dr Wahome said in a statement.
At the same time, KUCCPS clarified that only 2023 KCSE candidates can apply for university courses.
“Only the 2023 candidates can apply for degree programmes in universities. Those from all other years can apply for courses offered at the Open University of Kenya, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, Teacher Training Colleges and the Kenya Medical Training College.”
The deadline extension by KUCCPS is a sigh of relief after widespread complaints and uproar from candidates who encountered a myriad of challenges in trying to apply for their preferred courses.
Low applications
At the same time, Dr Wahome raised concerns over low applications from candidates who scored Grade C and below.
“The number of applicants selecting degree programmes is higher than those applying for TVET courses so far. KUCCPS encourages those with mean grades between C and E to take advantage of the available TVET opportunities.
Particularly, applicants with D+ and E are still very low and we are encouraging them to apply. They should walk into their nearest TVET institution for assistance,” said KUCCPS.
KUCCPS Frustrations
Many were unable to access the site, occasioned by its slow response amid a huge traffic as applicants rushed against time to beat the deadline.
Ben Mark Kiplangat on X lamented that he had unsuccessfully tried to access the site.
“I have been trying since Wednesday, and even paid but it tells me payment not reflected. What should I do?” he stated.
Also Read: Step-by-Step Process of University & College Applications on KUCCPS Portal
For Silas Kibet, the extension by KUCCPS will not almost nothing in addressing the problem.
“But this extension will be useless if the system will not improve, imagine trying to apply one application for the last days without success.”
Suleiman Oduori shared the same frustrations on Facebook. “Work on the intermittent network glitch rather than extending the deadline,” he stated.
On the other hand, Josephat Mutama challenged Dr Wahome-led agency to admit that the system was not working.
“What is so difficult to acknowledge that your system is down and not effective, and work on it, or is there a plan to lock out certain students from certain courses and favor others,” said Mutama.
Tabby Mugurer claimed that KUUCPS had unfairly locked out some candidates.
“Yet you have barred people who wrote their KCSE in 2013 even when clearly they are qualified for KMTC programs…. someone struggles to look for fees and you deem their candle even before it’s lit.”
Also Read: KUCCPS Opens Application Portal for 2023 Candidates: How to Apply
KUCCPS opened the portal on February 8, for 2023 KCSE candidates and form four leavers of the years between 2000 and 2022.
At the time, the body had set the deadline for February 20.
