The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) CEO Dr. Agnes Wahome has revealed that more than 30,000 students selected the Bachelor of Education course, making it the most preferred degree program.
Speaking during the release of 2024 Placement Report Dr. Wahome stated that surge was occasioned by the alignment of selection requirements with the stakeholders, including the Teachers Service Commission – TSC.
In particular, she said most students chose teaching after KUCCPS dropped English and Mathematics as a requirement to pursue the course at the university level.
“KUCCUPS needed to align with TSC regulations on the minimum requirements. English and Mathematics was removed as requirements, since TSC requires a C+ and two teaching subjects,” Dr. Agnes Wahome said.
In the past years, students who were applying for the bachelor’s in education and education (Arts) were required to have passed in those two subjects with at least a C in each.
At the same time, the reported showed that male applicants continued to dominate placement to degree programs, a trend that has persisted since the inception of the central placement system.
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KUCCPS Qualifications for Bachelor of Education
Be a holder of K.C.S.E mean grade of C+ (plus) and above.
C (Plain) in English/ Kiswahili.
C+ (plus) in Mathematics, Physics/Physical Science and Chemistry.
OR be a holder of K.A.C.E with at least 2 Principal passes in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and 1 subsidiary pass.
OR be a holder of a degree in related disciplines from an institution.
Bachelor of Education (Arts) Requirements
Mean grade of C+ (plus) at KCSE or equivalent with at least C+ (plus) or equivalent in two subjects of career choice.
OR Mean grade of C (Plain) at KCSE or Division III at KCE or equivalent or one (1) Principal pass and one (1) Subsidiary pass at KACE and be holders of P1, S1, or Diploma in Education from a recognized institution.
OR Mean grade of C- (Minus) at KCSE or equivalent with Certificate and Diploma in relevant field from a recognized institution.
The University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University (KU), Egerton, Moi and Maseno are some of the public universities offering Bachelor of Education degree programs.
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Population of Teachers
According to data from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kenya, there are approximately 331, 232 teachers employed in public primary and secondary schools across the country.
However, there remains a significant shortage of teachers, with an estimated deficit of over 100,000 educators needed to meet the current demand in schools.
This shortage is particularly pronounced in subjects such as Mathematics, Sciences, and Special Needs Education, where the lack of qualified teachers hinders the delivery of quality education.
Efforts are being made to address this shortfall through initiatives like hiring additional teachers, training programs, and policy interventions aimed at attracting more educators to the profession.
Previously, those interested in becoming primary school teachers underwent a P1 course. However, with the establishment of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC), these teachers should acquire a diploma in primary education.
Some of the requirements to become a primary teacher includes at least C (Plain) in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) with a C- in two art subjects or languages plus a P1 teacher certificate.
“A total of 10,263 applicants have secured admission places in the Teacher Training Colleges for Diploma programmes. These comprise 734 who have been placed in Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education Programme; 9,529 in Diploma in Primary Teacher Education,” read part of a speech by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu.
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