Just days after the KUCCPS released university enrollment for the students who sat their KCSE exams in 2023, data shows that a lot of students are now embracing education related courses. What some of you might not know is with regards to needed clusters to qualify for various courses in our local universities. We have devised a guideline that can bring some clarity on the requirements to pursue arts in tertiary institutions.
Now that we’ve learned the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has made some changes on the requirements for most education-related courses under Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) which is now the official placement body, It’s important for prospecting students to understand basic requirements so that they are not stunned when they fail to receive admission letters. These new requirements, if not well understood, can make it difficult for aspiring students to know the courses that they qualify for. Here is the information regarding new entry needs for different courses:
TSC Entry Requirements for Education Arts Courses
For students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education Arts, the new minimum subject grades are:
- Mathematics: D+
- English: C
- Additionally, candidates must attain at least a B- (minus) in the two teaching subjects they wish to focus on.
TSC Entry Requirements for Education Science Courses
For those aspiring to become science teachers through a Bachelor of Science in Education Science, the revised minimum subject grades are:
- Mathematics: C
- English: C
- Candidates must also achieve a minimum grade of B (plain) in the two teaching subjects.
TSC Entry Requirements for Education Special Needs Courses
For specialization in Special Needs Education, the entry requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Education Special Needs include:
- Mathematics: C
- English: C
- Kiswahili: C
- Additionally, special needs educators must have at least a C+ (plus) in the two teaching subjects.
TSC Entry Requirements for Information Technology Courses
For a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, the minimum subject grades are:
- Mathematics: C
- English: C
Implications and Challenges
These new TSC entry requirements represent a major change from the past rules which were more lenient and allowed for lower grades especially in Education and Theology courses. The stricter conditions are aimed at guaranteeing better quality education and skills among upcoming teachers as well as IT experts.
In addition, the new policy has made it more difficult for Diploma in Education students to teach in secondary schools. This further narrows the choices for those who want to be educators. The purpose of this change is to increase the standard of education in secondary schools by demanding better qualifications for teaching jobs. For students and educators, it will be important to understand the changing requirements and consider other paths as they adjust to the shifting educational arrangements in Kenya.