The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams commenced today, marking a pivotal moment for 965,501 candidates from across the country. With 10,755 centres participating up from 903,138 candidates last year the KCSE 2024 session has seen a significant increase in student enrolment and examination centres, reflecting both the growing number of students and the ongoing changes within Kenya’s education system.
As the 2024 KCSE exams get underway, candidates will first tackle practical and oral assessments in elective subjects, including French, German, Kenyan Sign Language, and music. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has scheduled these exams to take place from October 22 to November 22, providing a full month of rigorous testing that will determine the academic futures of many young Kenyans. In tandem with these exams, the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), a key component of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), is also set to be administered from October 28 to November 1, covering over 1.3 million primary school learners.
Growth in KCSE Candidate Numbers
The rise in the number of KCSE candidates is a testament to Kenya’s commitment to expanding access to education. This year, the number of candidates has jumped to 965,501, a substantial increase from the 903,138 candidates in 2023. This growth reflects both Kenya’s ongoing push toward universal secondary education and the success of initiatives aimed at keeping students in school. The upward trend in student enrolment can also be attributed to the efforts of various government and non-governmental agencies, which have worked tirelessly to address barriers such as poverty, early marriage, and child labour, all of which have traditionally impeded education in Kenya.
This increase in numbers has, in turn, necessitated an expansion in the number of examination centres. KNEC has established 10,755 centres nationwide, an increase from previous years, in an effort to ensure that all students, no matter how remote their location, have a conducive environment in which to sit their exams. The government’s continued investment in education infrastructure is evident in these growing numbers, particularly in rural areas, where access to exam centres is often more challenging.
Enhanced Security and Monitoring Measures
With the importance of the KCSE exams as a national exercise, maintaining the integrity of the examination process has always been a priority for KNEC. This year, KNEC has taken extra steps to secure the exams and ensure that there are no leaks or malpractices. The addition of 41 new distribution centres, bringing the total to 617, is a significant step toward achieving this goal. These distribution centres will serve as secure hubs from which exam materials are collected and distributed to the various schools.
To further enhance security, KNEC has implemented a new system that involves twice-daily collection of exam papers. This approach ensures that materials are distributed on time and that there are minimal opportunities for interference. According to KNEC CEO David Njeng’ere, the extra distribution centres and new containers installed for this purpose will bolster the council’s ability to monitor the entire process closely.
In addition, KNEC has collaborated with local law enforcement agencies to provide round-the-clock surveillance of exam centres and secure storage facilities. This effort is intended to deter cases of cheating and other malpractices that have in the past tarnished the integrity of the national exams.
Competency-Based Curriculum and KPSEA
While the KCSE exams remain a central focus, the upcoming Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) is also a key element of this year’s examination period. Slated to run from October 28 to November 1, the KPSEA is part of Kenya’s broader transition to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which seeks to develop learners’ skills and talents from an early age rather than focusing solely on academic knowledge. A total of 1,303,913 primary school learners will sit for the assessment across 35,573 centres, marking a significant step in the ongoing CBC rollout.
The CBC, introduced as a replacement for the 8-4-4 system, is designed to foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity in students. KPSEA serves as a tool to assess how well primary school learners have acquired these skills before they transition to junior secondary school. This year’s KPSEA exam will be especially significant as it continues to build the foundation for how learners are assessed under the new system. It will also provide valuable data to policymakers and educators on the effectiveness of the CBC in preparing students for further education and the workforce.
Government Support and Exam Preparedness
The KCSE and KPSEA exams are massive logistical undertakings that require close collaboration between the Ministry of Education, KNEC, and other government agencies. To ensure that the exams run smoothly, the Ministry of Education has mobilised resources to provide support for both students and schools during the examination period. This includes ensuring that all schools are equipped with the necessary materials and that invigilators, supervisors, and other staff are properly trained to administer the exams.
In addition to logistical support, the government has worked to address potential challenges such as exam-related stress and anxiety among students. Various awareness campaigns have been conducted in schools to encourage students to take care of their mental health during this critical period. Teachers and school counsellors have also been on hand to provide support to students in need, ensuring that they are psychologically prepared to sit their exams.
For many students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the KCSE exam represents not only a culmination of years of hard work but also a pathway to opportunities that can transform their lives. Scholarships and bursaries are available for top-performing students, and those who excel in the exams will have the chance to attend universities and technical institutions, giving them the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the modern workforce.
Challenges Facing KCSE and KPSEA Candidates
Despite the efforts made by the government and other stakeholders, the 2024 KCSE and KPSEA exams are not without their challenges. For one, some schools, particularly in rural and marginalised areas, still face infrastructural and resource limitations. Issues such as a lack of adequate classroom space, insufficient learning materials, and poor access to technology can hamper students’ performance and affect their exam preparedness.
Moreover, the ongoing drought in parts of the country has placed an additional burden on students and their families. In regions such as Turkana, Wajir, and Mandera, students are grappling with the impact of food shortages and the need to balance schoolwork with helping their families meet basic needs. For many candidates, hunger and lack of resources may be a significant challenge during the exam period, potentially affecting their concentration and overall performance.
There have also been concerns about cheating, a perennial issue in Kenya’s exam system. Although KNEC has ramped up security measures, including the deployment of extra surveillance and law enforcement officers, the temptation for some to engage in exam malpractices remains high. Cheating not only undermines the integrity of the exams but also devalues the efforts of students who have worked hard to prepare.
The Way Forward
As the 2024 KCSE exams kick off, Kenya finds itself at a critical juncture in its education journey. With more students than ever participating in both the KCSE and KPSEA exams, the country’s education system is being tested as it works to accommodate this growing population and ensure that all students have a fair and equitable opportunity to succeed.
The implementation of new security measures and the continued rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum are promising steps forward, but challenges such as infrastructural limitations, resource constraints, and exam-related stress must be addressed to ensure that all students can perform at their best.
As the country waits for the results of the KCSE and KPSEA exams, the future of Kenya’s next generation of learners hangs in the balance. How the government, schools, and other stakeholders continue to support and develop the education system in the coming years will be crucial in shaping the country’s workforce and its place in the global economy.
