Gender disparity persists in 2015 KCPE results

Cabinet Secretary for Education Dr Fred Matiang’i speaking while releasing the results.

NAIROBI: Some 23 out of 47 counties enrolled more girl candidates for the just released KCPE results signaling the increasing focus on the girl child education. But could boy children be under threat?

In the last five years we have applauded the consistent percentage increase in the number of girls which has been higher than that of boys, however, this year we have witnessed a shift in this trend as the percentage increase in the number of boys which stands at 5.56% is higher than that of girls at 5.18%.

The number of girls who sat for the examination increased from 437,228 in the year 2014 to 459,885 in the year 2015, an increase of 22,657 girls, representing 5.18%, while the boys increased from 443,258 in the year 2014 to 467,904 in 2015, an increase of 24,646 boys, representing 5.56%.

Analysis of candidature trends by gender at the County level indicates that in the year 2015 KCPE examination, 23 out of the total 47 counties, had more girls than boys who sat for the KCPE examination.

Cabinet Secretary for Education Dr Fred Matiang’i singled out counties that performed well by enrolling more girls.

“These counties were: Nairobi, Nakuru, Bungoma, Kakamega, Kiambu, Kitui, Machakos, Meru, Kisii, Kericho, Uasin Gishu, Siaya, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Vihiga, Nyamira, Embu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kirinyaga, Makueni and Tharaka Nithi. All these counties also had more female than male candidates who sat for the year 2014 KCPE examination, with the exception of Nyeri county which had fewer female than male candidates in the year 2014 and Taita Taveta county which had more female than male candidates in 2014, but not in 2015.” Matiang’i said.

Further analysis of candidature trends by county shows that there are still some counties where the gender disparity is leaning towards boys.During the year 2015 KCPE examination, five counties recorded notable gender disparities in favour of boys. These were Mandera (67% boys: 33% girls), Garissa (66% boys: 34% girls), Turkana (65% boys: 35% girls), Wajir (64% boys: 36% girls) and Samburu (61% boys: 39% girls) counties. While in three of these counties the gender inequalities continue to narrow as evidenced by the year 2014 KCPE examination gender parities of 67% boys: 33% girls in Garissa and Wajir, and 68% boys: 32% girls in Mandera.

In Turkana and Samburu, the gender disparities are increasing as evidenced by differences of 62% boys: 38% girls and 59% boys: 41% girls respectively. 

Matiang’i said the County Directors of Education in these counties are now tasked with putting in place interventions that will ensure that all girls of school - going age in these counties are enrolled in school.