Computer Packages for Form Four Leavers: A Plan for the Months After KCSE

The last paper is done, the uniform is in a bag somewhere, and suddenly there’s a long gap before college or university opens. For a lot of families in Nairobi, computer packages for form four leavers are the obvious way to use that time. Obvious, though, doesn’t mean every option is equal. Some school leavers spend two months and come out able to type a letter. Others come out with an international certificate.

This guide is for both students and parents. It lays out what to study, in what order, and what it costs at Excel Global College in Parklands, depending on how many weeks you actually have.

Why start with computers and not something else?

Because almost everything that comes next assumes you can already use one. College assignments get typed and submitted online. Attachments, internship applications and CVs go by email. Even a weekend job at a shop might mean entering stock into a spreadsheet.

School leavers often think they’re good with computers because they’re good with phones. Those are different skills. A phone hides the file system from you. A computer at work doesn’t. The first time you have to find last week’s document, rename it and attach it to an email, you’ll see the gap.

Match the course to the time you have

This is the part most guides skip. The right course depends on how long your gap is, not just on what sounds impressive.

Fees from our computer packages and ICDL pages, October 2026.

If you’re honest that you’ve barely used a computer, start with BCS or ACS. If you were the student who typed everyone’s class notes, skip straight to ICDL. You’ll be bored otherwise.

Which class time suits a school leaver?

We run four daily slots: 7:00 to 9:00 am, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 2:00 to 5:00 pm and 5:30 to 8:00 pm, plus weekends. If you’re not working, the late-morning or afternoon slot keeps a routine without a 6 am wake-up. If you’ve picked up a part-time job, the evening slot is there for that.

A routine matters more than people think. After four years of bells and timetables, the gap months can drift. A fixed class time is half the reason some students finish strong.

For parents: what you’re actually paying for

You’re paying for lab hours with a trainer next to your child, not just a certificate. A few things to look for, here or anywhere else:

• Continuous assessment. We grade on ongoing projects throughout the course, so you can ask your son or daughter to show you what they built this week.
• Small classes. We keep class sizes small so trainers can see who is stuck.
• A certificate you can verify. For ICDL, Excel Global College is an authorised ICDL test centre, and you can check that on the ICDL test centre finder.
• Payment that fits the household. Fees can be paid by M-Pesa, bank transfer or cash, with instalment plans available.

Three mistakes we see school leavers make

Taking the cheapest package twice. A rushed course that covers six programs in two weeks often leads to a second course later. You pay twice and lose time.

Learning only on a phone. YouTube tutorials help, but nothing replaces hours on a real keyboard with someone correcting your habits.

Stopping at Word. Excel is the program employers and lecturers seem to assume you know. If you only have time for one serious course, make it one that includes spreadsheets.

What comes after computer packages

Once the basics are solid, the next step depends on where you’re headed. Students leaning toward tech can look at our programming, web design or graphic design courses. Those heading into business or finance often add QuickBooks or look at the ABE and ACCA routes, which we offer as a fast-track pathway toward a degree.

If you’re still waiting on placement, our guide to KUCCPS courses and cluster points can help you plan the bigger picture. And if you’re stuck between a college certificate and an international one, read Computer Packages vs ICDL vs MOS.

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