A total of 893 candidates scored grade ‘A’ plain in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCPE) examinations in 2020 compared to the 627 candidates who got the same grade in 2019.
At the same time, 143,140 students scored C+ and above in 2020, accounting for 19.0 percent compared to the 125, 747 students who attained similar grades in 2019.
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), Prof George Magoha, while releasing the results, today, said that Simiyu Robinson Wanjala of Murang’a High School led the 2020 class with a mean grade of 87.334, closely followed by Wasonga Allan of Agoro Sare High School with a mean grade of 87.173.
The results put Sharon Jepgeno from Kenya High School, at the third position with an average grade of 87.173.
The CS who spoke from Mtihani House, Nairobi said the results were for 747,171 students who finally sat for their exams after nearly a year of uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just as he promised, Magoha released the results in record 16 days after the papers were completed, with the class of 2020 performing better than their counterparts from 2019.
Other students who made it to the top ten positions nationwide include, Rob Ongare-87.173, Mbugua Esther- 87.113, Kipkoech Mark- 87.10, Kenneth Orange- 87.049, Henry Madaga- 87.046, and Patience Chepkorir- 87. 046 and Musomba Edith- 87.013
The marking of the KCSE exams commenced immediately after the exam was concluded on April 16, and involved at least 27,284 examiners and was conducted in about 33 national schools distributed in the eight regions.
President Uhuru Kenyatta received the results earlier today ahead of their release to the public.
The results were presented to President Kenyatta by education CS Prof Magoha at a briefing attended by Head of Public Service, Joseph Kinyua, Early Learning and Basic Education PS, Julius Jwan, and TSC CEO, Nancy Macharia and her KNEC counterpart, Mercy Karogo.
Students who took the exams can check their results by texting their index numbers to the SMS code 20076.
Meanwhile teachers in the Country have been urged to go for the COVID-19 government vaccine offered free at the various medical centres to protect their lives as well as those of students.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Officer, Nancy Macharia, called on the trainers not to ignore the vaccine, adding that the President granted all teachers an opportunity to get the vaccination regardless of age.
“Let us utilize this opportunity to protect our lives,” revealing that it is sad to note that so far, the commission has lost 37 secondary school teachers; including 24 principals, three Deputy Principals and 10 classroom teachers.
Speaking on today during the release of exam results for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), Mrs Macharia however lauded the 151,494 teachers who have so far been vaccinated as of yesterday.
According to her, this constitutes 48.9 per cent female teachers and 51 per cent male.
This figure she stated was impressive despite the fact that most teachers have been on the move, either during the administration of the examination or during the marking exercise.
“The Commission is impressed with the high rate of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among teachers. Majority of the teachers aged 58 and above have taken the jab,” she said.
She further assured teachers that the Commission has provided full medical cover for COVID-19-related ailments as well as a medical insurance app. through their health insurance provider MINET.
“WalimuCare app. allows teachers to access tele-medicine access anytime and from anywhere, including isolation centres and their homes.
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), Prof. George Magoha, who was the Chief Guest at the same event announced that there will be five examinations this year while candidates for the 2021 KCSE and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams sit for their papers in March next year.
By Alice Gworo
