Girls lead in 2020 KCPE results released on Thursday

By Winfridah Muthee

The results of 2020 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam that started on March 22 2021 and ended on March 24 2021 were released on Thursday.

Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha who announced the results offered that they were commendable.

Out of the top 15 places, female candidates took eight places, including the first three overall slots.

Mumo Faith Kaswii was the top student with 433 marks. She is from Kari Mwailu Primary School in Makueni County.

Nanzala Wesonga from Chogoria Girls Primary School was the second best candidate with 432 marks.

Angel Murithi was the third best student, scoring 431 marks. She tied with Samuel Wanyonyi.

The top four students were from public schools, a fete that CS Magoha said he was proud of.

Girls performed slightly better in English, Kiswahili and Kenyan Sign Language.

Meanwhile, boys performed better in Maths, Science and Social Studies.

Magoha said overall performance improved compared to 2019, although the mark of the highest candidate dropped from 440.

“Although the mark of the highest candidate dropped from 440 to 433 in 2020, the mean average performance and quality of grades for all candidates is higher, said CS Magoha.

The exams were delayed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

1,181,725 candidates sat for the exam, showing an increase from 1,083,456 candidates who sat the 2019 exam.

Magoha said that there will be 100% transition to form one with the form one selection exercise set to take place on 28^th May 2021.

The government is set to offer 9,000 scholarships under the Elimu scholarship program.

Prof Magoha noted that on exam irregularities, there were five cases of impersonation detected and 7 other candidates were found with written notes.

He further noted that all teachers who aided in cheating will be punished.

20 counties registered more female than male and at least 26,000 candidates were 12 years and below.

Magoha noted that 5 papers including Maths, English and Religious Education recorded an improvement compared to 2019.

2,675 candidates were special needs, majority with physical disabilities.

8,091 candidates scored 400 marks and above, 282,000 candidates scored between 300 to 399 and 589,000 candidates between 200 to 299.

Candidates are to collect their results from their respective education centers or by sending their index number to 20076.

Basic Education PS Julius Jwan had last month confirmed that the marking was being conducted by teachers contracted by the Kenya National Examination Council.

He added that both manual and electronic marking was underway and the council has engaged the services of 7,000 examiners.

Serious concerns had been raised on the credibility of the just concluded Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, KCPE with controversy arising from a claim that most of the questions in the English language paper were lifted from a test and two books that had been in huge circulation and distribution during the month of February.

However, the ministry of education moved to allay fears of cheating and exam leaks of the 2020 KCPE exams saying credibility of the exam was intact.