Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha on Monday, May 10, 2021, released the results for the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations at Mitihani House, Nairobi.
747,161 sat for the exams, 366,834 females and 380,327 male, representing 49.10 percent and 50.90 percent of the total candidature respectively
In what may be considered a miracle year, the CS announced that tertiary institutions in the country will enroll all students who sat for the exams.
"I am therefore proud to announce that we have created opportunities for academic progression for all the 747,161 who sat the 2020 KCSE examinations. Already, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), whose CEO Dr. Agnes Wahome is here today, has identified that our 10 universities, colleges, and TVET institutions have places for all candidates.
"All these institutions have disclosed their capacities of enrolment ahead of the selection exercise of the 2020 KCSE examination candidates, which I have instructed that it starts immediately," Magoha stated.
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The candidates sat the exam across 10, 567 examination centers, where 31 subjects were examined in 77 papers.
Subjects Performance
Magoha announced that 19 subjects recorded a significant improvement in performance, compared 21 to 16 subjects that recorded a significant improvement in performance in 2019.
"There was no significant change in performance in two of the subjects offered during the 2020 KCSE examination," he noted
Results
CS Magoha joked, "at least this time around it didn't go the other way," as he announced Simiyu Robinson Wanjala of Muranga High School as the top candidate of the 2020 KCSE exams with a mean score of 87.334.
The CS's sentiments had been provoked by the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam results, whereby, female candidates dominated the top 15 performers.
Wasonga Allan Udoma and Sharon Chepng'eno came second in the 2020 KCSE exams both with mean scores of 87.173 points.
Here are the top 10 candidates:
1. Simiyu Robinson Wanjala, 87.334 - Murang'a High School
2. Wasonga Allan Udoma, 87.173 - Agoro Sare Secondary School
2. Sharon Chepng'eno 87.173 - Kenya High School
4. Muriasi Rob Ong'are 87.139 - Alliance High School
5. Mbugua Esther Washosh, 87.113 - Kenya High School
6. Kipkoech Mark Kogo, 87.106 - Alliance High School
7. Kenneth Oranga, 87.049 - Kabsabet High School
8. Henry Madaga, 87,046 - Maranda High School
8. Chepkorir Patience, 87.046 - Kenya High School
10. Musomba Edith, 87.013 - Machakos Girls High School
Kenya High School dominated the top 15 performance, with 7 candidates.
2020 vs 2019
CS Magoha announced that the KCSE class of 2020 performed better compared to their 2019 counterparts. 893 students scored A plain as compared to 627 candidates in 2019.
Also 143,140 candidates scored above C+, all eligible for university entry. In 2019, 125,747 candidates scored above C+.
Candidates with special needs
In the 2020 KCSE exams, there were 223 (11.93 percent) candidates who obtained an overall grade of C+ and above compared to 127 (7.65 percent) candidates in 2019.
Most Improved Candidates
CS Magoha heaped praise on a section of candidates on their outstanding performances despite scoring below 200 marks in their KCPE exams.
Cheruiyot Bett Dennis of Kimargis Secondary School, Bomet County, is the most improved student after he scored a B- in the just-released exams. Dennis scored 190 marks in KCPE.
Maluti Tom who scored 199 in KCPE, attained a B- in KCSE, earning praise from the CS as one of the most improved.
Others include Kipis Faimit Charity, from 151 to C+, Sagera Sempeyo Shelmith of Ol Dekesi Secondary School, from 168 to B-,and Kamar Abdullahi Jamari, from 153 to C+.
1. Hassan Abdullahi Osman (M)- Wayam Secondary School- 168 to B-
2. Cheruiyot Bett Dennis(M) - Kimargis Secondary School- 190 to B-
3. Maluti Tom Miti (M) -St. Teresa Secondary School Bikeke - 199 to B-
4. Kipees Siomit Charity (F)- Olderkersi Secondary School - 151 to C+
5. Sadera Sempeyo Shalvin (F) - Olderkersi Secondary School - 168 to B-
6. Kamar Abdullahi Jimale (F) - Habaswein Mixed Day - 163 to B-
7. Musharaf Kerrow Adan (M) - Mandera Secondary School - 140 to C+
8. Abdullahi Daud Maalim (M) - Ademasajida Mixed Day - 137 to C+
9. Ruweitha Abdikadir Hassan (F) -Hon Khalif Girls Secondary School - 193 to B-
10. Siololo Parmaari Joseph (M) - Olderkersi Secondary School - 186 to B-
"The lesson from this radical positive KCPE improvement recorded by candidates with low academic achievement at the KCPE level is that the Government’s 100 percent transition that allows all candidates to progress to secondary school is indeed a game-changer.
"If we can sustain the policy over the years, then we stand a chance of saving many academic lives of our children who would otherwise have fallen by the wayside on account of failing a 29 KCPE examination that is administered early in their lives," Magoha stated.
Most Improved Schools
The top ten most improved schools include Kaaga Girls School in Meru, St Joseph Girls Kitale, Kisasi Secondary School, Oriwo Boys High School, Riokindo High School, St Joseph's Rapogi, Moi High School Gesusu, Light Academy, Saye Mixed and St Edward Nyabioto Secondary School.
Female Candidates
CS Magoha revealed that 652 candidates sat their KCSE in hospital after delivery with Bungoma county (43) leading the pack with the highest number of candidates who gave birth while doing exams.
Other counties that had the highest number of candidates who sat their examination in hospitals after delivery included Meru (38), Nakuru (36), Kisii (36), and Nandi (31).
Exam Irregularities
This year, no school had its exams cancelled, however, 287 candidates did not get their results. Magoha stated that Ministry will review the results, and those found guilty will have their scores retracted.
He stated that 211 candidates had unauthorized materials in the exam room, including 45 mobile phones. The CS noted that some students were caught writing on the insides of their shirts on the way to their examination centres.
Magoha proceeded to sound a warning to teachers and candidates caught cheating during the exams, noting that 1 teacher is already serving a jail term.
Teachers Service Commission CEO Nancy Macharia, during the address, highlighted that some teachers, including school heads were caught leaking examination papers using social media platforms.
In one instance, Macharia revealed that a principal took a screenshot of the examination paper and shared it on her WhatsApp profile.
