Lubao Production 
The Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu, during the release of the 2023 KCSE results today at Moi Girls’ High School Eldoret, expressed his dismay at the persistently high number of candidates scoring the lowest possible grade.
“I am pained by the fact that a large number of candidates still ended up scoring a mean grade of E in the 2023 KCSE Examination even after the Ministry used a more flexible system of computing the final overall candidate results,” he noted.
He also expressed deep concern as a significant number of candidates, totaling 48,174 or 5.33%, received a mean grade of E in the recently concluded 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Examination.
This alarming statistic emerged despite the Ministry’s implementation of a more flexible system for computing the final overall results for candidates.
In response to this concerning trend, the CS has directed the Directorate of Quality Assurance to collaborate with field officers and teachers in conducting a comprehensive investigation into the cases of candidates who received an E grade.
The directive includes an explicit timeline, with a request for a detailed report to be submitted within one month.
The aim is to identify the root causes and contributing factors behind the high number of candidates scoring poorly.
“As a country, we must start interrogating data and evidence to enable us to make critical decisions that would ensure that we realize our return on investment from all the resources that the government puts into the education sector,” the CS Machogu emphasized.
This call for a data-driven approach reflects a commitment to addressing systemic issues and improving the overall quality of education in the country.
Another concerning revelation from the Cabinet Secretary’s address was the prevalence of examination irregularities in the 2023 KCSE Examination.
A total of 4,113 candidates were reported to have been involved in such malpractices.
The Council has already canceled results in four cases of reported impersonation, following thorough investigations.
Additionally, results for the remaining 4,109 candidates suspected of engaging in examination irregularities have been withheld pending the completion of investigations, with a deadline of 20 days set for their resolution.
He expressed his disappointment at the involvement of contracted professionals in aiding examination malpractices.
“It is unfortunate that a few contracted professionals are still insistent on ruining the future of our learners by subjecting them to examination malpractices,” he stated.
He revealed that 120 contracted professionals were reported to have been involved in aiding examination malpractices, and a firm disciplinary action will be taken against such teachers.
His commitment to addressing these issues head-on and taking decisive action against those involved in examination malpractices is a step towards ensuring the integrity of the education system.
As the investigation unfolds and the report is submitted, stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and policymakers, await the findings that will shed light on the factors contributing to the high number of E grades and examination irregularities, with the hope that remedial measures will be implemented swiftly to secure the future of the nation’s learners.
By Joshua Oduor
