Merrueshi Primary School is in the Maasai region of Kenya. Source, http://www.maasai-association.org/
Today, More than 840,000 KCPE candidates start their Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination across the country in 23,819 centres with 906 of this candidates are from South Sudan.
This number has increase with about 20,000 from the previous year 2012 in which 820,000 pupils sat for the examination. Nairobi County has the highest number of candidates, with 46,232. Nakuru County is second with 42,890, Kiambu 37,902 Kakamega 37, 617, Bungoma 35,170 and Kitui 32,000 candidates. Machakos County has 30,398 candidates, Makueni, 27,699 , Kilifi, 27074 and Kisii, has 26,597 candidates.
Lamu County on the other side has recoorded the lowest number of KCPE candidates this year with only 2,371 sitting for the exam.
Isiolo County has the second least (2,665). Samburu County follows with 3,184 candidates, Marsabit 3,564 and Tana River 3,578 KCPE candidates. Wajir County has 3,723 candidates, Mandera has 4,824, Turkana 6,485, Garissa 7,810 candidates and West Pokot is the tenth lowest number with 9,142 candidates.
Embracing ICT
Last week, Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) chief executive Paul Wasanga said Plans are afoot to have class eight candidates write their national examinations online and have their results as soon as they complete the exercise. He said the idea will be piloted next year with 1,000 pupils across the country.
He also announced that primary school head teachers will print out their pupils official results slips at school and rubber stamp them before issuance.
“We want to enhance accountability in examinations and also make the exercise smooth and efficient by embracing Information Communication Technology (ICT) in administering examinations,” said Wasanga.
The revelations come only days after Wasanga also said the council would pilot biometric registration of candidates to check examination malpractice during exams. He said candidates will register their fingerprints before entering examination rooms to eliminate any form of impersonation by the candidates. According to Wasanga, said the biometrics will be tested in two years for the first phase ahead of a national rollout
Success wishes to the pupils as they start their exams
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