• The growing number of students presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The government must boost funding, expand infrastructure, and align university programs with employment needs.

Education is a fundamental right, and the growing number of university enrollments is a positive step toward a skilled workforce. The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has opened its portal for degree, Teachers Training College (TTC), and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) applications, with 45,000 more students qualifying for university than in 2023.

In the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), 246,391 students attained a mean grade of C+ and above, meeting the minimum university entry requirement.

Higher Education should, however, meet the rising demand for student education enrollment.

Many universities already face financial struggles, overcrowded classrooms, and limited resources. Public institutions are in debt, struggling to pay staff and working with outdated facilities.

The new funding model aimed at easing some of these burdens does not fully address the challenges institutions face. Without swift action, the quality of Education will suffer, leaving graduates ill-equipped for the job market.

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TVET institutions promoted as an alternative, still struggle with stigma and weak industry ties.

The growing number of students presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The government must boost funding, expand infrastructure, and align university programs with employment needs.

The key point is strengthening TVET institutions, providing better financial support, enhanced facilities and resources with stronger industry partnerships will also help ease the pressure on universities and create a balanced education system.

Kenya must act now to prevent a surge in unemployed graduates. With the right policies, increasing university admissions can drive innovation and economic growth.