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A classroom. Photo/Courtesy
By Abol Kings
Every year, thousands of students sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. Their performance determines the career paths they follow after secondary school.
In Kenya, students with a mean grade of C plus and above qualify for university education, while those below that grade are directed toward diploma and technical courses.
However, not all who qualify for university are best suited to pursue degree programs. Students with C plus and B minus grades often find greater success when they choose technical and diploma training institutions rather than joining universities.
This is not because they are less intelligent, but because of the unique match between their academic performance, their potential, and the opportunities available in the job market.
One major reason is that students who score C plus and B minus usually perform moderately in their subjects, which makes them more suited to courses that emphasise practical learning rather than purely academic or theoretical study.
University programmes in fields like medicine, law, or engineering demand very high grades and intense theoretical engagement.
Students with A or B plus grades have already demonstrated strong academic ability, and they can handle such demands.
On the other hand, C plus and B minus students may struggle with lengthy theoretical coursework but can thrive in programs that emphasise hands-on skills.
Technical and diploma institutions provide exactly this environment, focusing on practical training that leads to competence in areas like mechanical engineering, catering, plumbing, or ICT.
Another reason is the challenge of competing for scarce opportunities. Students with higher grades often secure admission into prestigious degree programmes such as medicine, architecture, or actuarial science, which align with their capabilities.
A student with an A plain or A minus has the advantage of accessing such fields because of their strong academic record.
By contrast, C plus and B minus students often end up in less competitive university courses such as general arts and social sciences.
These courses are overcrowded and produce thousands of graduates each year, yet the job opportunities available in these areas are very limited.
As a result, many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed. By choosing diploma and technical training, C plus and B minus students avoid this trap and instead acquire skills that are directly demanded in the labour market.
Affordability and shorter course duration also make diploma and technical training institutions more suitable for students in this grade range.
Many families in Kenya struggle with the high cost of university education. Students who barely meet the minimum entry grade may spend four or more years in university only to graduate without a job.
Technical and diploma programmes, on the other hand, are often completed in two to three years and cost less money. This allows students to complete their studies quickly and begin earning earlier.
For a C plus or B minus student, this path makes more sense than spending long and expensive years pursuing a degree with uncertain outcomes.
Technical and diploma training also matches the entrepreneurial potential of students in this performance bracket. Many of them are not content to sit in offices or wait endlessly for white-collar jobs.
They prefer to start small businesses or offer services within their communities. A diploma holder in catering can open a bakery or restaurant, while a graduate in plumbing can start a business offering installation and repair services.
By equipping students with tangible skills, technical training enables them to employ themselves and even create jobs for others.
Higher-grade students who pursue specialised degrees may not be as flexible since their training often prepares them for professional or corporate careers.
The structure of progression also favours C plus and B minus students. After completing a diploma, one can upgrade to a degree in the same field while already earning an income.
This staged approach is more realistic for students who may not thrive in university studies immediately after secondary school. Higher-grade students usually move straight to degree programs because their grades place them in competitive courses that lead to professional careers.
For the C plus and B minus group, a technical or diploma course provides a strong foundation that can be upgraded gradually.
Finally, the economy of Kenya today demands more technicians and middle-level professionals than university graduates.
There is a shortage of skilled artisans in construction, mechanics, and electrical installation, while thousands of degree holders remain unemployed.
Students who score C plus and B minus grades are uniquely positioned to fill this gap because they have the minimum academic ability required to master technical skills but are not locked into the competitive academic race of higher-grade students.
This makes them the ideal candidates for technical and diploma training institutions.
Choosing the right career path is about understanding both personal abilities and market opportunities. For C plus and B minus students, technical and diploma training is not a consolation prize but a wise decision.
It provides practical skills, affordable education, faster entry into the workforce, and opportunities for entrepreneurship.
At the same time, it spares them from the overcrowded degree programs where chances of employment are slim.
In the long run, these students are likely to build stable careers and contribute significantly to Kenyaβs economy because they occupy the space where demand for skills is highest.
Mr. Abol Kings is a Senior High School Teacher in Kenya
Β©Citizen Digital, Kenya
Continue reading...
- This is not because they are less intelligent, but because of the unique match
A classroom. Photo/Courtesy
By Abol Kings
Every year, thousands of students sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. Their performance determines the career paths they follow after secondary school.
In Kenya, students with a mean grade of C plus and above qualify for university education, while those below that grade are directed toward diploma and technical courses.
However, not all who qualify for university are best suited to pursue degree programs. Students with C plus and B minus grades often find greater success when they choose technical and diploma training institutions rather than joining universities.
This is not because they are less intelligent, but because of the unique match between their academic performance, their potential, and the opportunities available in the job market.
One major reason is that students who score C plus and B minus usually perform moderately in their subjects, which makes them more suited to courses that emphasise practical learning rather than purely academic or theoretical study.
University programmes in fields like medicine, law, or engineering demand very high grades and intense theoretical engagement.
Students with A or B plus grades have already demonstrated strong academic ability, and they can handle such demands.
On the other hand, C plus and B minus students may struggle with lengthy theoretical coursework but can thrive in programs that emphasise hands-on skills.
Technical and diploma institutions provide exactly this environment, focusing on practical training that leads to competence in areas like mechanical engineering, catering, plumbing, or ICT.
Another reason is the challenge of competing for scarce opportunities. Students with higher grades often secure admission into prestigious degree programmes such as medicine, architecture, or actuarial science, which align with their capabilities.
A student with an A plain or A minus has the advantage of accessing such fields because of their strong academic record.
By contrast, C plus and B minus students often end up in less competitive university courses such as general arts and social sciences.
These courses are overcrowded and produce thousands of graduates each year, yet the job opportunities available in these areas are very limited.
As a result, many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed. By choosing diploma and technical training, C plus and B minus students avoid this trap and instead acquire skills that are directly demanded in the labour market.
Affordability and shorter course duration also make diploma and technical training institutions more suitable for students in this grade range.
Many families in Kenya struggle with the high cost of university education. Students who barely meet the minimum entry grade may spend four or more years in university only to graduate without a job.
Technical and diploma programmes, on the other hand, are often completed in two to three years and cost less money. This allows students to complete their studies quickly and begin earning earlier.
For a C plus or B minus student, this path makes more sense than spending long and expensive years pursuing a degree with uncertain outcomes.
Technical and diploma training also matches the entrepreneurial potential of students in this performance bracket. Many of them are not content to sit in offices or wait endlessly for white-collar jobs.
They prefer to start small businesses or offer services within their communities. A diploma holder in catering can open a bakery or restaurant, while a graduate in plumbing can start a business offering installation and repair services.
By equipping students with tangible skills, technical training enables them to employ themselves and even create jobs for others.
Higher-grade students who pursue specialised degrees may not be as flexible since their training often prepares them for professional or corporate careers.
The structure of progression also favours C plus and B minus students. After completing a diploma, one can upgrade to a degree in the same field while already earning an income.
This staged approach is more realistic for students who may not thrive in university studies immediately after secondary school. Higher-grade students usually move straight to degree programs because their grades place them in competitive courses that lead to professional careers.
For the C plus and B minus group, a technical or diploma course provides a strong foundation that can be upgraded gradually.
Finally, the economy of Kenya today demands more technicians and middle-level professionals than university graduates.
There is a shortage of skilled artisans in construction, mechanics, and electrical installation, while thousands of degree holders remain unemployed.
Students who score C plus and B minus grades are uniquely positioned to fill this gap because they have the minimum academic ability required to master technical skills but are not locked into the competitive academic race of higher-grade students.
This makes them the ideal candidates for technical and diploma training institutions.
Choosing the right career path is about understanding both personal abilities and market opportunities. For C plus and B minus students, technical and diploma training is not a consolation prize but a wise decision.
It provides practical skills, affordable education, faster entry into the workforce, and opportunities for entrepreneurship.
At the same time, it spares them from the overcrowded degree programs where chances of employment are slim.
In the long run, these students are likely to build stable careers and contribute significantly to Kenyaβs economy because they occupy the space where demand for skills is highest.
Mr. Abol Kings is a Senior High School Teacher in Kenya
Β©Citizen Digital, Kenya
Continue reading...
