Mathematics Makes Historic Improvement in 2023 KCSE Exams as Afternoon Papers Results Decline
Mathematics has achieved enhanced performance for the first time, as stated by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machiogu.
However, it has been revealed that several Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam subjects typically conducted in the afternoon experienced a decline in performance.
According to the recently released KCSE results, 14 subjects, including English, Kenyan Sign Language, Physics, Computer Studies, and History and Government, witnessed a drop in performance.
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While overseeing the announcement of last year’s KCSE results in Eldoret, Machiogu attributed this decline to the newly implemented double collection policy.
Machiogu noted, “For the first time, we are witnessing a decrease in performance in History and Government, usually conducted in the afternoon. You can observe that early exposure was lacking.”
“Similarly, Geography used to be conducted in the afternoon. You can also notice there was a decline in Agriculture,” he added.
Other subjects falling into the same category include Islamic Religious Education, Home Science, Woodwork, Metal Work, Power Mechanics, Drawing & Design, and Art & Design.
Nevertheless, Machiogu observed that 12 subjects showed a notable improvement in performance out of the 30 subjects examined in the 2023 KCSE. Among them were Mathematics, Kiswahili, Biology, Biology for the Blind, CRE, Business Studies, German, Music, Chemistry, Building Construction, French, and Electricity.
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The CS also mentioned that female candidates outperformed male candidates in mean scores for English, Kiswahili, CRE, Home Science, and Art and Design.
Male candidates outperformed their female counterparts in subjects such as Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, General Science, History and Government, Geography, Agriculture, Computer Studies, and Business Studies, based on mean scores.
A significant decline in performance was observed in subjects that were previously scheduled for the afternoon sessions. In the past, afternoon papers were collected in the morning, leading to concerns about early exposure.
The Ministry of Education introduced the double collection policy for national examination papers last year. Under this policy, papers were collected from distribution centers twice a day. In the morning, only the first paper was picked by exam center managers, and later, they returned to collect the afternoon paper.
According to Machogu, the implementation of the double collection policy has effectively reduced instances of early exposure, mitigating the potential for exam irregularities.
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Mathematics Makes Historic Improvement in 2023 KCSE Exams as Afternoon Papers Results Decline
