Days after the release of the 2022 KCSE Exams, questions lingered over the credibility of the results, particularly within the Kisii region.
Reports indicated that some schools from the region doubled their mean grades within a year- eliciting an online debate over the credibility of the results.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, however, dismissed the claims and noted that the region was singled out unfairly while other counties also recorded impeccable performances.
The CS also pointed out that the reason for the bias claims could be attributed to the ban on the ranking which denied the public a comprehensive breakdown of the results.
In particular, Machogu defended Boaz Owino, Nyambaria high school principal, after all the 488 candidates earned a university entry slot.
The school has gained recognition for posting 28 As with the lowest grade being a B minus. The school, which dethroned academic giants in the national test had a mean grade of 10.
"If you look at his history, you will appreciate him because wherever he goes, there is a remarkable improvement,” he added. “Let us wait for the 2023 exams and ensure our children work hard. Propaganda will not help us.
"If today you are number one and tomorrow you are not, it means you must work smart," the CS stated according to Nation.
Machogu also pointed out that the Ministry had devised a system to curb examination leakage. He commended the Ministry of ICT and the Communication Authority for sealing all the loopholes, particularly in social media.
He noted that Kenyans ought to focus on how all students would transition to universities, training institutions and Technical and Vocational Education.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Collins Oyuu echoed Machogu's sentiments and urged parents not to condemn children who posted dismal results.
"Let us not condemn the Es. Even an E is a grade like any other. Let’s ensure those students are enrolled in vocational institutions. Each child is able differently,” Oyuu stated.
Education experts, however, opined that an audit ought to be conducted to debunk the widespread allegations and monitor what the schools did differently that could have led to the high ranking.
"I don’t like the cynicism about the improvement of results in Kisii county. There’s mistrust between Kenyans and the examination council… just like in elections," Dr. Evelyn Jepkemei, education policy expert, told Citizen TV in an interview on Monday, January 23.
