The Ministry of Education on the spot over the fate of more than 9,000 students who failed to sit for the final Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams in 2023.
These students, representing the last group under the outgoing 8-4-4 education system, risk losing their chance to join secondary school as the nation fully transitions to the Competency-Based Education (CBE).
Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi brought the matter before Parliament, appealing for the House's immediate intervention to safeguard the rights of the vulnerable learners.
Elachi also highlighted that a significant majority of those who missed the exams are girls, primarily affected by early pregnancies, prolonged illnesses, and other unforeseen family or personal circumstances.
“It is estimated that over 9,000 pupils did not sit for the final KCPE examination in 2023 and other preceding years due to various reasons, the majority being girls affected by early pregnancies, illness, and other unforeseen circumstances," Elachi said.
“These learners now face the risk of never progressing to secondary school simply because they did not sit for KCPE, which is no longer being offered.”
Elachi said that many students affected are still interested in completing their education and sitting for the KCPE exam.
Under the 8-4-4 system, Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) administered the final KCPE examination in 2023.
According to the data by KNEC, 9354 students failed to sit for the KCSE 2023 examinations. It stated that a total of 1,406,557 candidates were registered that year, with 721,544 being boys and 685,017 girls.
The MP, during the sitting, also raised concerns over students who may be locked out of sitting the KCSE.
The last group of students under the 8-4-4 system will sit for the KCSE in 2027, marking the end of the curriculum and ushering in the full implementation of the CBC system.
The MP wants KNEC and the Ministry of Education to give a brief on measures to be taken to accommodate the pupils who missed the national exam under the 8-4-4 system.
