KCPE performance drops as stringent steps to curb cheating bear fruit

Celebrations broke out in Coast schools, with the traditional high performers retaining their superiority in KCPE results released yesterday.

The best candidate in the region, Gideon Maina of Mwatate Junior Academy in Taita Taveta, scored 423 marks, in exams termed the most credible.

Private schools Light Academy, Saint Kevin, Aga Khan, Nyali Primary and Marjoy in Mombasa and the public Ganjoni Primary School had the best results.

The best girl, Angela Jaden, who sat KCPE at Ganjoni Primary School, scored 419 marks ahead of Zainab Zaiddun of Aga Khan who scored 415.

Although the best candidate in Coast scored 444 last year, parents and teachers yesterday termed this year’s overall performance better because the examination was administered in an environment of peace and integrity.

Muhammad Hassan of Aga Khan scored 422 marks while Martin Oduor of Saint Kevin scored 421 marks. Nixon Munene of Light Academy scored 420 marks.

Nationally, little-known Daisy Special School in Kakamega produced the country’s top candidate, Victor Oduor Odhiambo, with 437 marks. Also, Kaboi Kevin Ngatia of Tender Care Academy in Nairobi was second with 436 marks.

Ogongo Titus Anyona of Bungoma’s Marell Academy and Gitonga Caroline Gatwiri of Freds Academy in Meru tied in position three with 434 marks.

Yesterday, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i termed this year’s results “clean and credible”.

“The examinations were very fruitful,” Dr Matiang’i said, attributing the success to a multi-sectoral approach in their management.

The release of the results, which caught everyone by surprise, only lasted two hours. The event normally attended by all county directors of education, was only graced by top ministry officials.

No Cancellations

Flanked by Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery and Joe Mucheru of Information and Communications Technology, Matiang’i said that only 21 examination malpractices were recorded. Last year, some 7,089 KCPE exam candidates had their results cancelled.

“I wish to inform the country that for the first time in the history of the KCPE examination, there was no cancellation of results for any candidate,” he announced.

He said the success was due to various security measures put in place during the administration and management of the exams.

Mucheru said the government fully embraced technology in the administration and processing of the examinations.

“The services were efficient because we looked at all possibilities of ensuring credible examinations. The results are credible, timely and accurate because of technology,” said Mucheru.

Matiang’i said that the overall performance of this year’s candidates dropped compared to last year.

“The performance was slightly lower than that of 2015,” he said, adding that this year’s top candidate would not make it to the top 90 best performers of last year.

Data released yesterday shows that only 5,143 candidates scored 400 marks and above against 7,560 who posted similar grades last year, representing a 31 per cent drop.

Some 207,141 candidates scored between 301 and 400 marks, while the majority – 501,552 – scored between 201 and 300. Another 6,747 candidates scored 100 marks and below, while those with between 101 and 200 marks were 221,438.

Matiang’i said that all candidates with 400 marks and above would be admitted to national schools.

“I wish to assure the public that all candidates who scored 400 marks and above will be admitted to national schools irrespective of their gender, region or centre,” he said.

Matiang’i said all candidates will report to Form One by January 9, and assured parents and guardians that appropriate arrangements are in place to admit the children.

He said admission will be based on merit, quotas, equity, affirmative action and candidate choices.


“Form One selection will be complete by December 9. All parents should have Form One admission letters for their children by Christmas,” said Matiang’i.

Girls performed better than boys in most subjects. Girls did especially well in English Composition, Kiswahili, Sign Language, Science, Social Studies and Religion.

On the other hand, boys beat girls in Mathematics and English.

A total of 942,021 candidates sat the examinations between December 1 and 3. Some 168,800 professionals were recruited to invigilate and supervise the exams. Another 5,047 examiners were involved in the marking of the English Composition, Kiswahili Insha and Kenya Sign Language.

Matiang’i announced that special candidates registered improved performance and attributed the grades to strategies laid out to take care of special interests of the candidates. The top candidate out the 1,950 special needs candidates scored 421 marks out of the possible 500 marks.

As he released the results, Matiang’i sounded a firm warning to examination cartels and schools that employ corrupt ways to popularise their institutions.

He said from next year, firm examination safeguards will be implemented to build on the gains registered this year.

“In 2017, we shall implement more reforms and seek alternative and better ways of ensuring national examinations are safeguarded,” he said.

He said private schools that register more than one examination centres will be de-registered.

He said investigations by the ministry had revealed that schools register weaker pupils at sister “satellite” examination centres to boost the mean scores of their main “marketing” schools.

“I have instructed Knec to ensure that no institution will register two centres. We will adopt the one centre approach because this habit is traumatising to children,” he said.

Private Candidates

Matiang’i also said starting next year, all private candidates will sit examinations in government institutions.

“We will no longer allow private centres because half of them are conduits for examination leakage through impersonation,” said Matiang’i.

And on gender, the results also revealed that parity remained the same compared to previous years.

Twenty three counties – Mombasa, Nyandarua, Kiambu, Machakos, Kitui, Embu, Meru, Makueni, Nairobi, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Kericho, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, Kisii and Kisumu, Nyamira – registred more girls than boys.

“Of the candidates who sat KCPE, 49.7 per cent were girls and 50.3 per cent were boys. This gender composition has comparatively remained the same over the last three years,” said Matiang’i.

Speaking at the launch of the results, Nkaissery said President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive has led to credible examinations results.

“The future is bright and we will never go back to days of getting grades we don’t deserve,” said Nkaissery.

Kenya National Examination Council Chairman George Magoha warned persons keen to influence results at marking stage. “If you try you will regret,” he said.

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000225463/kcpe-performance-drops-as-stringent-steps-to-curb-cheating-bear-fruit

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