The 965,501 candidates who sat for the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams are expected to receive their results next week. Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba, has announced that the results will be released on Tuesday, marking an important milestone for the candidates.
CS Ogamba revealed that the marking of the 2024 KCSE exams is nearing completion, and preparations are in their final stages. "We are adhering to the tradition of releasing KCSE results in January, and candidates should expect the results within the next two weeks," he said during a cultural event in Kisii.
Contrary to earlier speculation in some media outlets about delays, Ogamba emphasized that the KCSE results have always been released in January, not December. He clarified that the confusion might have arisen due to the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams traditionally being released in December, which did not occur this year as KCPE was not administered.
The 2024 KCSE exams concluded on November 22, 2024, followed by a comprehensive marking exercise that spanned over three weeks. The marking was conducted in 35 designated centers, which included renowned secondary schools and colleges across the country. Schools such as Alliance High School, State House Girls, Limuru Girls, and Starehe Girls were among the institutions where the marking took place.
The 2024 KCSE results come in the wake of several examination reforms aimed at improving transparency and integrity. These reforms, introduced in 2016, have been continuously refined to curb cheating and ensure quick feedback to students. For the 2024 exams, stricter measures were put in place, including personalizing exam papers and avoiding extra prints to prevent cheating.
Furthermore, candidates found engaging in exam malpractice will now face personal responsibility under new guidelines. This is a shift from the previous practice where entire schools could face punishment due to the actions of a few individuals.
This year's candidates will be the second cohort to be graded under a new system introduced in 2023. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) implemented this system based on recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform. The new grading structure is designed to help more students qualify for university and improve overall performance.
Under this system, a candidate’s grade will be determined by their performance in the seven best subjects. Two mandatory subjects will be Mathematics and one language (either English, Kiswahili, or Kenyan Sign Language). The other five subjects will be selected from the candidate’s best-performing subjects.
As the 2024 KCSE results are set to be released, students and parents alike are eagerly awaiting the outcome. The Ministry of Education has assured the public of a smooth process, building on the integrity reforms that have shaped Kenya’s examination system over recent years. Candidates can expect to receive their results on Tuesday next week, which will mark a critical moment in their academic journey.
Savanis