Girls, public schools shine in 2020 KCPE results
Faith Kawee Mumo of KARI-Mwailu primary school is the best KCPE candidate with 433 marks, Education CS, Prof George Magoha, has said.
Yvette Nanzala Wesonga of Chogoria Girls and Angel Gakenia Murithi of Maseno Girls Boarding came second and third respectively with both girls scoring 432 marks in results released on April 15.
About 1.2 million candidates sat for the 2020 KCPE.
“I am impressed that public schools have shone in the 2020 KCPE, scooping 10 of the top 15 overall slots in the examination. Additionally, of the top 15 places, female candidates have taken eight places, including the first three overall slots,” said Prof Magoha.
The best boy was Samuel Makhanu Wanyonyi of Nzoia Sugar Company, who scooped 431 marks, ranking fourth nationally among the country’s best candidates. He tied marks with Castro Williams of Chrystall Hill Academy, and Laureen Chepkemboi Tarus of St Mathew’s Septonok.
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Abiud Kipkurui of Lessos Hills Adventist scored 430 marks while Margaret Mwangi of Karatina DEB scooped 429 marks tied with Bernice Omondi of Nairobi School and closing the list of the top ten candidates.
English Composition, Kiswahili Lugha, Kenyan Sign Language Objective, Mathematics and Religious Education registered an improved performance compared to 2019, said Prof Magoha, adding that English Language, Kiswahili Insha, Kenyan Sign Language Composition, Science and Social Studies, posted a drop in performance in 2020 compared to the previous year.
Of the approximately 1.2 million candidates, who sat for the KCPE 2020, girls performed better than boys in English, Kiswahili and Kenyan Sign Language.
On the other hand, boys outshined the girls in Mathematics, Science and Social Studies and Religious Education.
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Slightly over 8,000 pupils scored over 400 marks while 282,000 candidates scored between 300 and 399 marks. Nearly 600,000 pupils scored between 200 and 299 marks, representing the bulk of the candidates or 49.4 per cent.
Only 307 candidates scored less than 99 marks, representing a marked improvement from 2019 when 1,393 pupils scored grades within the same category.
Data from the ministry show that 20 counties registered more girls than boys’ candidates. These are: Isiolo, Meru, Vihiga, Kakamega, Busia, Nairobi, Kwale, Elgeyo Marakwet, Siaya, Tharaka Nithi, Kisii, Kisumu, Bungoma, Kilifi, Lamu, Bomet, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Makueni and Migori. This is an increase from 18 counties that registered more female than male candidates in 2019.
All the candidates whose results we are releasing on April 15 will be admitted to secondary schools under the government’s 100 per cent transition policy. The actual form one selection exercise for all categories of schools will take place from May 28, said Prof Magoha.
The number of candidates with special needs was higher at 2,675 compared to 2,407 previously. There were about 1,200 candidates with physical disabilities and 738 with hearing impairment.
