The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has raised concern over challenges facing 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates during course selection, citing parental pressure and peer influence as major obstacles to effective career planning.
KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Dr Agnes Wahome said many students are being pushed by their parents to pursue courses they have little interest in, simply because the parents consider those careers prestigious or ones they would have preferred for themselves.
“Parents should guide their children but ultimately allow them to choose careers based on their ability, talent and interests. The world today offers many emerging opportunities in fields such as performing arts, sports, and design, unlike in the past when options were largely limited to health and teaching,” said Dr Wahome during the KUCCPS webinar on the 2026 university and college application.
She urged parents to adopt a more open-minded approach, warning that forcing career choices often leads to frustration and poor performance among students.
Dr Wahome also identified peer pressure as another key challenge, noting that many students tend to copy their high school friends’ choices instead of making independent decisions.
“You came into this world alone and you will leave alone. I understand how close friendships can be in high school, but it is time for each of you to choose your own path,” she advised.
The KUCCPS boss further cautioned students against selecting institutions based on prestige rather than the suitability of programmes. She noted that many candidates insist on joining certain universities even when their preferred courses are better offered in national polytechnics or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
“Choose a programme based on your interest, not an institution for prestige. Be clear about the course you want to pursue before selecting where to study,” she said.
Dr Wahome said career decisions should strike a balance between a student’s abilities, talents and emerging opportunities in the job market and encouraged learners to explore diverse fields, including sports, performing arts and design, which are increasingly offering viable career paths.
For instance, she said, a student aspiring to become a teacher should first assess whether they enjoy teaching, interacting with others, and have the patience and communication skills required for the profession.
Secondly, students should evaluate whether they meet the subject requirements for teaching, which include having at least two teaching subjects.
“What are your two strongest subjects? Did you perform well in them? The minimum requirement is a C+ in both teaching subjects,” Dr Wahome explained.
She added that students who attained a mean grade of C+ in KCSE qualify to pursue teaching at either degree or diploma level.
“There are diploma teacher education courses available. You can choose to join a university or institutions such as Kibabii, Kagumo or Lugari Teachers Training Colleges, depending on where your preferred subjects are offered,” she said.
“Check the cut-off points for previous years and compare them with your cluster points to determine your chances. This will help you make an informed decision,” she added.
The placement service officially opened its portal for the 2026/2027 academic year on April 7 and will close on May 6, 2026, giving thousands of students an opportunity to apply for courses in universities, colleges and technical institutions.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the portal will remain open throughout the period, allowing candidates to select and revise their course choices.
In 2025, a total of 993,226 candidates sat the KCSE examination, with 270,715 qualifying for university admission.
However, the growing demand for university education continues to create a funding gap, underscoring the need for sustained investment in higher education financing.
Dr Wahome noted that once students log into the KUCCPS system, they can access a wide range of programmes — from degree courses to diploma, certificate and artisan training — across universities and TVET institutions, catering for all KCSE grades from A to E.
