The 2015 KCSE results were released on Thursday 3rd March 2016 by the Cabinet Secretary of education Dr. Fred Matiang’i.
522,870 candidates sat for the examinations last year and during release of the results the issue of examination irregularities took center stage.
Dr. Matiang’i admitted that there were increased cases of cheating across the country in 46 counties.
It is only Isiolo County where the cases were not registered. Nairobi, Makueni and Meru counties recorded the highest number of examination irregularities.
A total of 5,101 candidates had their results cancelled this year-a number higher than 2975 candidates in 2014 and Dr. Matiang’i said only the individual candidates involved in cheating were penalized but not their schools.
A secretariat committee has also been set to hear complaints from the affected individuals as from Monday said the education CS.
The cabinet secretary however apologized to the nation saying the incidences of irregularity were unfortunate.
He added that the president has directed his ministry and the ministry of interior under cabinet secretary General Nkaissery to investigate and table a report on causes of cheating and the measures put in place to curb examination irregularities.
The report is to be presented to the president in a month’s time and be made public.
Dr. Matiang’i insisted that a credible education system can only be achieved if all stakeholders join hands and act responsibly.
In order to reform the education system Dr. Matiang’i said the government will put up technical institutes in all constituencies for candidates to obtain technical skills.
He called upon students to choose carriers in science, technical and mathematics related courses so that the current trend of many students studying arts is brought to an end.
Parents were also urged to guide children to pursue courses in vocational and technical institutes even if they attain university entry grades.
The cabinet secretary added that government pays examination fees for standard eight and form four candidates and therefore no parent should pay examination fees.
On the issue of completion rate, Dr. Matiang’i said 532,122 students joined form one in 2012 and 522, 870 students sat for exams in 2015 and indication of over 98% completion rate.
He also noted with concern that, a third of the candidates attained university entry qualification that represents 31.52%.
He blamed this on teacher absenteeism giving an example of Njooro Boys High school, the curriculum in place and few text books being availed to students.
The government allocated Ksh 9 billion for reading material in school but there are still issues of high student to book ratio, asking head teachers to be responsible and provide resources.
According to Matiang’i, 47% of the candidates were girls while 53% represented boys.
Eight counties had more girls than boys; Taita Taveta, Nyandarua, Kiambu, Meru, Thataka Nithi, Makueni and Murang’a.
Last year’s examination was done after a teachers’ strike that lasted for more than a month, leaving most of the candidates unprepared.
On his side , KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion who was present during the function said teachers are not responsible for the irregularities because the exam council is in charge of exams before they reach students.