The current form-four candidates are soon expected to choose courses to study and the respective universities through Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services (KUCCPS).
Dr Mercy Wahome, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) KUCCPS, has urged the students to know themselves, ie what they love doing most, and what they are good at for better decision-making before selecting the undergraduate course.
Dr Wahome urged learners to take time to think through their favourite careers. She said there is usually a lot of confusion when the parents, teachers and the student differ on which course to pursue.
Speaking at Kirinyaga University during a career week, the Kuccps CEO said the challenge is greater when it comes to students who manage to score an A or A- because they have the potential of doing all programmes, unlike the rest who are limited by qualifications and subject requirements.
Dr Wahome challenged teachers to help identify the passion of their students as early as possible in different fields, subjects required in the field and start guiding them.
“This year’s KCSE candidates will soon begin selecting their courses, we as KUCCPS have witnessed scenarios where parents come to our offices each with different courses in their minds. Students who manage to score A or A- are the most affected as they are capable of doing any course therefore, we need to identify the child’s passion and inform them of subjects that are needed,” Dr Wahome said.
She further proposed mentorship programs by professionals to take the student through the journey of the course they like to identify challenges, working hours, expectations and effects they are likely to face in their personal life.
During the event whose main aim was on strengthening Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses, Wahome revealed that females have not been doing well in Mathematics and Physics leading to domination of some science courses by male students.
She said some courses like Aeronautical Engineering require grade A in Mathematics and Physics hence sometimes no female student is admitted to the course countrywide.
“Today the theme was on STEM courses, and according to last year’s results, the female gender did not perform well in mathematics and sciences except for Biology where there was improvement. This is why male students are dominating science courses. We have a course like Aeronautical Engineering which placed only 24 students countrywide and in some instances no female is successful because you must have an A in physics,” Wahome noted.
She said KUCCPS will partner with universities in such situations to help in guiding the students in career choices
Kirinyaga University Vice Chancellor Professor Mary Ndung’u organised the event and invited secondary school students within Kirinyaga County for sensitization on STEM courses to guide them an overview on career choices.
The theme of the event which is to be held annually was “Sparking Interest in Science Education Through Mathematics”.
“We held this event today and we have invited students from Kirinyaga to learn more on sciences and mathematics courses. This is an annual event that brings together different academic professionals to help the pupils”, noted Professor Ndungu.