New Guidelines To See Students Who Scored “E” In KCSE Finally Proceed To University

By Lilian Wamaitha
New regulations by the Ministry of Educations will now see students who scored grade “E” in KCSE allowed to study for degrees and even proceed to the doctorate level. The new regulations were gazetted by Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed.
However, the students will take longer than usual and the ability to go all the way will depend largely on the student’s willingness, ability and interest. The guidelines also state that the learners will start with an artisan certificate taking six months and worth a minimum of 60 credit value, which will allow progress to the next level.
The authority however failed to determine at what level diploma holders get to join universities, leaving such decisions entirely on institutions.
In the past years, diploma students used to join universities at first year while others joined at second and third years.
The diploma students
“The university will be in a position to assess a diploma student and determine at what level he or she can start his undergraduate studies but subject to our approval,” said authority chairman Bonaventure Kerre.
In the same regulations, to proceed to doctorate level, the student will be required to have a master’s degree which will take three years with a minimum of 360 credits, while those proceeding to master’s degree will take two years earning a minimum of 240 credits.
For those taking post graduate diplomas or certificates, you must have a Bachelor’s degree and will take one year for 120 credits. Those enrolling for degrees on the other hand, the authority will require them to have a C+ in KCSE or its equivalent or have completed a diploma.
You Must Read This >>> New Rules To See Diploma Students Join Universities As Second Or Third Years
Craft certificate
Students who want to proceed for diplomas will be required to have a C- in KCSE or its equivalent, a certificate of experiential learning that is issued by the authority or a completion certificate. The course will take two years and the student will be awarded with 240 credits.
For those taking a craft certificate course, they will be required to have a D (plain) in KCSE and will have to study for a year, earning them a minimum of 120 credits.
Other qualifications for a similar course will be a certificate in experiential learning issued by the authority.
A national vocation certificate of education and training will now take three months with 30 credits an d will target secondary school leavers.
In terms of basic education
The regulations also provide training for crafts men who have a basic education and have learnt their skills on the job to progress to the highest level which will be master of craft at national industrial training institutes.
The authority will also keep a data bank that consists of graduate details in the country where employers can access the information in a move that is aimed at getting rid of fake academic certificates.
Despite the big drop that characterizes the KCSE results nowadays, students who fail can now proceed to university to study degrees and proceed all the way to doctorate. It now means that you can achieve all your dreams no matter what grade you got.
What is your opinion on these new regulations? Will the quality of education be affected or is it about time that we looked out for all who never make it to university because of the grade they got? Leave a comment below.
Lilian is a Communication Officer at Career Point Kenya. Reach out through lilian@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke.