The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has signalled a possible shift away from the long-standing Grade C+ cut-off for university admission, saying the threshold may no longer be sustainable as the country transitions to the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).
Speaking on Tuesday, January 27, KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Agnes Wahome said the emphasis on a single grade as the gateway to university education is likely to fade as Kenya fully adopts Competency Based Education (CBE).
“This is a conversation that needs to start dying off as we get fully into CBC because we have overemphasised grades and measured success by the number of people who get to university,” Wahome said.
Her remarks follow public concern after a large number of candidates who sat the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations failed to attain the minimum Grade C+ required for direct university entry.
Wahome noted that Kenya has for years focused heavily on the C+ benchmark while overlooking alternative education pathways that can also lead to successful careers.
She said many learners who do not immediately qualify for university often pursue certificate and diploma courses before later enrolling in degree programmes.
“Some learners don’t get to university immediately but start with a certificate, proceed to a diploma and still end up in university, yet their journeys are rarely discussed,” she said.
She attributed the heavy emphasis on Grade C+ to the now-phasing-out 8-4-4 education system, adding that the approach will change as the transition to CBE is completed.
Under the new system, Wahome explained, greater focus will be placed on practical skills, talents and hands-on competencies rather than examination scores alone.
“I think we have overglorified Grade C+ and above, and that will definitely change when we fully embrace Competency Based Education,” she reiterated.
However, Wahome clarified that the current university entry requirement remains in force during the transition period, which is expected to take about two years.
Until then, Grade C+ will continue to serve as the minimum threshold for direct university admission.
Her comments come a day after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba dismissed claims that the university cut-off grade had already been revised.
Ogamba urged the public to ignore such reports, maintaining that the policy remains unchanged.
“The government has not changed the policy on the cut-off point for admission to the university. This cut-off point remains Grade C+ and above,” the CS said.
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