Over 200,000 Candidates Obtain Direct Entry to University
A total of 201,133 candidates who participated in the 2023 KCSE examinations achieved a mean grade of C plus and above, securing places in universities.
The 2023 KCSE exams saw 903,260 candidates sitting for the examinations conducted from October 10 to November 24, 2023.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu reported that all students meeting the minimum university entry grade will be absorbed by public universities under the new funding model.
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The number of students eligible to join universities in the 2023 KCSE exams surpassed those granted direct entry in 2022.
In 2022, 173,345 candidates scored a mean grade of C plus and above, qualifying for university admission.
Machogu attributed the increase in 2023 to the government’s new grading system, which now includes only two compulsory subjects in calculating the mean grade.
The CS stated, “This is a result of the new grading system that reduced the number of subjects required to compute a mean grade,” during the release of the 2023 KCSE examination results at Moi Girls Eldoret.
In the previous year, the Ministry of Education introduced a new grading system, implemented in the 2023 KCSE exam.
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As per the updated grading structure, only two mandatory subjects were needed for computing the mean grade.
In the new grading system applied to the 2023 KCSE exam, Mathematics and one language (English, Kiswahili, or Kenyan Sign Language) were the only mandatory subjects.
Alongside the two compulsory subjects, Knec considered any other five best-performed subjects by the candidate.
The reform is anticipated to augment the number of students qualifying for universities, diploma programs, and TVET training at certificate and artisan levels.
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Over 200,000 Candidates Obtain Direct Entry to University