The Kenya University and College Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has proposed that school children be assessed on future career paths while in junior schools.
Speaking during the second annual CBC symposium on Wednesday, April 23, Prof John Oluoch, the Director for Placement and Career Development, asserted that this would provide enough time for planning the career trajectory of learners by choosing the right subjects.
"The timing of career assessments is crucial, especially during the Junior School years when learners are refining their career goals. Assessments during this period can help to narrow focus and facilitate educational planning," he stated.
"By integrating these practices and understanding the importance of assessment data, educators can effectively support learners in selecting senior schools and career pathways that are well-suited to their interests and skills."
His sentiments were backed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Central Careers, Joseph Muraya, who emphasised the importance of assessing learners before making career choices.
This, he said, would enable the students to achieve satisfaction in their future jobs with a higher rate of success, as they will have chosen pathways better suited to them.
He further urged the ministry to prioritise education on the pathways and placement criteria.
"Students who take personality tests to explore suitable careers are more likely to find roles that align with their strengths and interests, leading to higher job satisfaction and success rates. The Ministry of Education needs to conduct more sensitisation and awareness on pathways and placement."
In the CBC system, senior secondary school students will have to choose among three pathways for the ones more aligned with their career goals.
The three pathways are Arts and Sports, Social Sciences, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), all of which will administer different subjects.
In the new system, for instance, mathematics will only be compulsory for STEM students, a revelation that has divided the country, with experts saying the move will have severe implications for the learners' futures.
However, the students will have an option to choose up to two pathways to broaden their career prospects.
