Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has dismissed reports suggesting that the government has reintroduced cut-off points for university admission. In a statement released on Tuesday, Ogamba reaffirmed that all 246,391 students who scored a C+ and above in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations qualify for university admission under the current criteria.
“The government has not reintroduced cut-off points for university admission. The minimum requirement, which applies to the 2024 KCSE cohort, is a mean grade of C+,” Ogamba stated. His clarification comes after speculation that the government was planning to impose additional restrictions on university placements.
The issue of university funding has also been a key concern. Reports had suggested that the government would require Ksh100 billion to support the 2024 KCSE cohort’s university education. However, Ogamba clarified that this figure represents the total projected cost over four years. For the 2024/25 academic year alone, only Ksh25.85 billion will be needed to facilitate university admissions.
Additionally, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) is set to open the university placement portal in March 2025 for students enrolling in the September intake. Meanwhile, applications for Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Teacher Training Colleges (TTC), and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions have been ongoing since January 24.
The CS reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that university education remains accessible and equitable. “We remain committed to providing quality, relevant, and inclusive education that is accessible and equitable. We will continue working with all stakeholders to achieve this goal,” Ogamba affirmed.
This statement comes amid broader discussions on higher education funding in Kenya. In recent years, public universities have struggled with financial sustainability, prompting the government to review its funding model. The new higher education financing model, which was introduced in 2023, is designed to allocate funds based on students’ financial needs rather than blanket subsidies.
As the government moves forward with university placements and funding plans, prospective students and parents are advised to stay updated through official communication channels. The clarification from the Education Ministry aims to reassure students that their university admissions will not be affected by changes in policy.
With KUCCPS set to open the placement portal in March, students are encouraged to prepare for the selection process and explore various university programs aligned with their career aspirations.
