Cabinet okays return of bridging courses to enable more students join university

The Cabinet has approved the reintroduction of the popular bridging courses to enable more students from high school to access university education in Kenya.

The decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday and is part of the government’s pledge to advance education.

Ruto’s cabinet says the reinstatement of bridging courses is part of the administration's comprehensive plan to implement the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

“The re-introduction of bridging courses offers an academic lifeline to learners who had not met the requirement for direct entry to university as well as to those that had not met the cluster requirements for admission to their preferred academic course,” said the Cabinet in its dispatch.

Kenya’s bridging courses will emulate similar programmes offered in the UK, Australia and South Africa through Bridging Certificate Programme and the Pre-University Programme.

The Bridging Certificate Programme will cater to students who possess the potential for higher education but did not meet the initial prerequisites for direct entry into universities.

By bridging the academic gaps, this programme is expected to open doors for these students to enroll in various degree programs offered in a host of Kenyan universities.

Similarly, the Pre-University Programme will focus on providing targeted support to students who might not have met specific cluster requirements for their desired courses.

Through extra learning opportunities, the initiative seeks to empower students to boost their foundational knowledge and meet necessary prerequisites to pursue higher education.

The move has been widely welcomed by educators, parents and students who view it as a key step towards realizing every talented and determined individual's academic ambitions.