KUCCPS to Simplify Student Placement with Innovative Data System, HEMIS
The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) is undertaking the development of a Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) with the aim of improving the accuracy and inclusivity of student data.
This system will enable the capture of biometric information, addressing the existing challenges faced by the current system. KUCCPS Chief Executive Mercy Wahome emphasized the importance of accurate data and highlighted the international recognition of their portal system.
According to Dr. Wahome, the KUCCPS portal system is highly regarded worldwide, with countries such as South Africa and Nigeria benchmarking its efficient management of student placements.
However, there is room for improvement. Presently, the system fails to capture the details of more than 6,000 students due to factors such as citizenship and educational backgrounds outside the Competence-based Curriculum (CBC) or the traditional 8-4-4 system.
Inclusivity and Equality:
Dr. Wahome expressed the need to ensure that no student is left behind.
The new HEMIS will address the exclusion of certain groups, including students whose parents work in the country, refugees, and those who did not sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
The system will draw inspiration from the National Education Management Information System (Nemis), which tracks the educational records of individual students across different classes.
Under the new funding model, KUCCPS will separate the placement process from financial support.
The focus will be on effectively placing students while funding will be allocated through alternative means.
The aim is to shift state support from automatic grants to sustainable student loans, revolving funds, scholarships, and contributions from families.
Geoffrey Monari, the Chief Executive of the Universities Fund (UF), highlighted the flaws of the previous funding system.
The differentiated unit cost approach was found to be ineffective for both students and universities.
The quality of education has suffered as universities face substantial debts, amounting to Sh61.1 billion.
These debts have resulted in difficulties in paying salaries and statutory deductions.
KUCCPS to Simplify Student Placement with Innovative Data System, HEMIS
