Two boys share top slot as 2022 candidates record improvement

This year's release of KCPE results was however a break from the norm as the ministry did not rank the candidates, ending the excitement that characterises the ceremony.

Instead, Machogu illustrated candidates' performances in particular marks brackets without revealing the names of the students and schools.

He said out of the 1,233,852 candidates who sat the exam, 9,443 scored 400 marks and above while 307,756 scored between 300 and 399 marks.

Some 619,593 candidates, accounting for more than half of the total number, scored between 200 and 299 marks.

Those who scored below 200 marks were 296,336.

Machogu said the number of candidates who scored below 100 marks went down from 1,170 in 2021 to 724 this year.

The number of candidates with special needs was 2,417 compared to 2,483 students in 2021 KCPE exam.

The top candidate in the special needs category scored 419 marks, while seven scored over 400 marks.

"We are therefore very impressed with the KCPE examination class of 2022 for performing very well and raising the standards of the mean performance," said the CS.

In Nairobi, St Georges Primary School had 11 students scoring 400 marks and above. Shantel Alivitsa was the top student with 428 marks.

At Moi Educational Centre in Nairobi, Gilbert Ongoro Amani scored 423 marks while at Makini School, Gabriel Otieno topped with 422 marks.

At St Matthews Learning Centre, Kasarani, Jamel Aunga Ouma topped his class with 426 marks.

Murithi Catherine Wangeci of Accurate Schools scored 425 marks as Zian Ombungum of Rockfields Junior School posted 424 marks.

Nyanumba Sam Einstein of Newlight Academy scored 419 marks as Muchiri Kohn Njeru of St Mary's Ruaraka scored 417 marks to emerge top in the school.

Imani Nganzi of Parklands Baptist School scored 419 marks as Ashley Achieng of Green Angels Academy scored 409 marks.

In Ukambani, St Gabriel Primary School in Mwingi, Kitui County, emerged the top school for the second year running. Rebecca Mwalale Benrodger scored 428 marks to emerge top.

The Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) registered a total number of 1,233,852 candidates.

Machogu said the gender parity was achieved at primary level as out of the total number of candidates, 620,965 were boys while 612,887 were girls.

However, the candidature in the 2022 KCPE exam increased by 19,821 from 1,214,031 candidates who sat in 2021.

Four counties - Turkana, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera - had more male than female candidates, while Marsabit, Isiolo and Meru had more female than male candidates.

The number of candidates who sat the examination in hospitals in 2022 was 147 compared with 166 in 2021.

"All these candidates will also progress to Form One," said the CS.

The number of underage candidates were 31,498, which is a decline from the 33,627 who were aged 12 years and below in 2021.

"The highest number of candidates were in the appropriate age bracket of 13-15 years, accounting for 885,162 students, which is a trend that has been replicated in the last five years," said the CS.

The counties with the highest percentage of overage candidates were Garissa, Turkana, Kilifi, Kwale and Mandera.

Machogu said the 252 candidates in nine examination centres who were caught cheating will score zero in the specific subjects.

He said the affected students will, however, receive their examination results and transition to secondary school in accordance with the 100 per cent transition policy.

On subjects' performance, Machogu said the candidates recorded overall improvement in four papers; English Language, Kiswahili Lugha, Kiswahili Insha and Kenyan Sign Language compared to 2021.

However, English Composition, Kenyan Sign Language Composition, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Religious Education recorded a drop in performance in 2022 compared to 2021.

Female candidates performed better in English, Kiswahili and Kenyan Sign Language while male candidates performed better in Mathematics, Science and Social Studies and Religious Education.

Machogu said the candidate recorded astounding performance despite the challenges of recovering the lost learning time occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic and the General Election.

In line with the government's 100 per cent transition policy, Machogu said all candidates will be admitted in secondary schools as learning resumes to the normal school calendar in 2023.

He said Form One selection for all categories of schools will be concluded on January 16, 2023 to give parents adequate time to prepare for the admissions.

This year's KCPE exam is the second last in the series of examinations at primary level as kentia phase out the 8-4-4 education system.

Following the presidential directive that Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) will not be used for placement of the learners in junior secondary school, Machogu said KPSEA reports will be ready and uploaded in schools' portals by January 16, 2023.

Knec Chief Executive Officer David Njeng'ere said the KPSEA reporting will be done at three levels.

Dr Njeng'ere said there will be a report on individual learners for the summative assessment, a school specific report and a national report on school-based and summative assessment.

"The national report will provide feedback to education stakeholders on areas that require interventions and the proportion of learners at each of the performance levels per subject," he said.

Njeng'ere said the national report will be useful to the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Education ministry as the rollout of CBC continues.