The much-anticipated 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results have been officially released. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, accompanied by Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang, announced the results at Mtihani House, shedding light on key statistics and performance trends.
This year, a total of 962,512 candidates sat for the KCSE exams, marking a 7.19% increase from the 899,453 candidates in 2023. However, 965,172 candidates had initially registered, reflecting a slight drop in attendance.
For the first time in KCSE history, female candidates outnumbered male candidates, with 483,523 females registered compared to 481,649 males. This milestone is a testament to the growing gender parity in Kenya’s education system.
Performance by Grade
The 2024 KCSE results reveal notable disparities in performance across genders and grades.
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Grade A:
- Male candidates: 1,137
- Female candidates: 556
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Grade A-:
- Male candidates: 4,904
- Female candidates: 2,840
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Grade D Plain:
- Female candidates: 79,832 (highest among all grades)
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Grade E:
- Male candidates: 28,221
- Female candidates: 20,112
Female candidates excelled in seven subjects, including English, Kiswahili, and French. Male candidates, however, outperformed in 23 subjects, such as Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
County-Level Insights
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba highlighted the regional trends in the examination:
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Counties with Higher Male Participation:
- Garissa County topped with 62% male candidates, followed by Mandera, Wajir, Turkana, and Samburu.
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Counties with Higher Female Participation:
- Vihiga County recorded the highest proportion of female candidates, followed by Elgeyo Marakwet, Kirinyaga, and Meru.
Grading System
The 2024 KCSE results were evaluated using a revised grading system that considered:
- Mathematics.
- The best-performed language (English, Kiswahili, or Kenyan Sign Language).
- The five best-performing subjects.
This updated grading approach aims to provide a more balanced assessment of candidates’ academic abilities.
The release of the 2024 KCSE results not only highlights the progress in gender equality in education but also provides key insights into the performance trends that will guide future education policies in Kenya.
Back here in Uganda, we are patiently waiting for UNEB to release results for PLE, USE and UACE.
