More candidates achieve University-entry grades in 2024 KCSE

Students seated in a hall at Kisumu Boys High School wait for the invigilators to verify exam security seals.[File,Standard]

Education Cabinet Secretary released the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results for 962,512 candidates on Thursday.

Announcing the results in Nairobi, the CS highlighted a significant increase in the number of students who surpassed last year's performance, achieving higher grades for higher institutional learning.

"There were 1,693 candidates (0.18 per cent) who obtained an overall grade of A in the 2024 KCSE, compared to 1,216 candidates (0.14 per cent) in 2023.

"The number of candidates eligible for direct university entry, with a grade of C+ or above, was 246,391 (25.53 pc) in 2024, up from 201,133 (22.27pc) in 2023," CS Migos said.

A total of 476,889 candidates scored a grade of C- and above, compared to 401,216 in 2023, while 605,774 attained a passing grade of D+.

Additionally, 759,108 candidates scored a grade of D, 910,595 received a D-, and 958,928 obtained an E.

The increase in last year's performance is attributed to the revised grading system.

This year's results were graded using a system that considered Mathematics, the best-performing languages (English, Kiswahili, or Kenyan Sign Language), and the best five subjects.

The number of candidates also grew, with 480,310 male candidates and 482,202 females, representing 49.9 pc and 50.1 per cent, respectively.

However, the Ministry also expressed concern over 840 candidates involved in exam irregularities.