The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) on Monday released the Kenya Certificate Primary Education (KCPE) results in just 17 days after the conclusion of the exams with the top candidate scoring 440 marks as three others tie on 439 marks.
Andy Michael Munyiri of Damacrest Schools, Thogoto, scored 440 marks while in the second position were two girls from public schools, Flavian Onyango of Chakol Girls,439 marks, June Cheptoo Koech of Sangalo Central also with 439 marks and Sean Michael Ndung’u of Kitengela International School scoring 439 marks as well.
The Ministry of Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), Prof. George Magoha, said that there was minimal cases of malpractices reported with only three of impersonation witnessed, adding it was dealt with due to beefed up security and the high technical registration system used to register the candidates.
Magoha added that, despite the incidents of impersonation and other forms of malpractices none of the exam papers leaked out and this will end the idea of students getting marks that does not belong to them.
“There will be a 100 per cent transition where all of the 1,088 986 students who sat for KCPE 2019 will get a place in secondary school and the process will be free, fair and credible,” said Magoha.
The CS added that 18 Counties registered more female candidates compared to male counterparts.
“These counties that must be pointed out for praise are Kakamega, Nairobi, Meru, Bungoma, Vihiga, Busia, Kiambu, Siaya, Kitui, Embu, Kisumu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Tharaka Nithi, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Trans Nzoia, Mombasa and Bomet,” said Magoha.
He urged teachers to give children time out of classroom as with the new curriculum, noting that not everything is about class.
Magoha added that, the government has set aside Sh..8billion to improve infrastructure in 110 Sub-County schools in all the 47 counties.
“The government will also provide 9, 000 scholarships in Sub-counties and ensure that the scholarships are shared among the slums in listed cities such as Mombasa Nairobi and Kisumu,” explained Magoha.
Speaking at KNEC Headquarters, Magoha added that with the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) the government has 14 million books that are being distributed to their respective schools.
“By December 14, 2019, the books for Grade Four will be in our schools,” assured Magoha.
The Teacher Service Commission CEO, Nancy Macharia, expressed appreciation to all teachers for successfully guiding, and teaching the candidates until they sat the KCPE.
Macharia added that the government recognizes that teachers need to get better terms of service even as they demand more from them.
“As a result, we have already initiated the process of negotiating the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), we hope we can conclude the CBA in good time to ensure our teachers can benefit from improved terms,” explained Macharia.
Macharia said that, starting December 2, 2019 the Commission will retool 100,900 teachers on CBC delivery at a cost of Sh.580 million and at the end of the training, the commission would have trained 228,000 on CBC in 2019.
The KNEC Chairman, John Onsati, said the Council has made big strides since the introduction of new system of candidate registration through a short messaging service that only took KNEC one and half months.
Onsati added that, “in collaboration with the security apparatus handling examinations they were able to curb examination cheating cartels,”
“We continue to appeal to all stakeholders who include parents, teachers, media and security to marshal up support to stem out cheating in exams,” added Onsati.
The number of candidates scoring 400 marks and above dropped to 9,770 (0.90 percent) from 11,559 (1.10percent) last year. However, there was a rise in the number of candidates scoring between 301 and 400 marks, growing to 243,320 (22.46percent) from 223,862 (21.27 percent) last year.
By David Musungu
