KCSE: Kenyans Question KNEC's Reluctance To Release Results Ahead Of Christmas Celebrations

• Kenyans said that the delay in the release of KCSE results would affect their Christmas mood, urging KNEC to announce the date
• A section of critics welcomed the delay, stating that the ministry would effectively deal with errors that may occur, as witnessed in the KCPE results
• Their concerns arose after KNEC welcomed guests from foreign states to observe the processing of the examinations

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Kenyans have expressed concerns about the long wait for Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results, as Christmas is fast approaching.

The national examinations concluded on November 24, the marking process began and was finished on December 11.

The Kenya National Examination Council informed the public that the results would be released when ready and is yet to give a specific date to calm the anticipation.

Kenyans uneasy as they wait to celebrate

They argued that delaying the results would affect the Christmas mood, as others presented contrary views, arguing that hurrying to release the results would affect the integrity of the results.

@OpiyoOdiwuor said:

"The only logical thing to ask and even debate is whether a short period may affect the integrity of the results. Christmas mood?"

@Arap_Nyasikera tweeted:

"During our time, #KCSE was released circa February. We had time to celebrate the Christmas and New Year holidays without butterflies. With the KCPE fiasco, candidates have more reason to worry about the KCSE results. Hopefully, CS Machogu will fair better."

@ItsMose said:

"Walimu hukua excited about KCSE results kuliko wanafunzi wenyewe. Do you know why?"

@Kaikainaipaa observed:

"Tomorrow, the Education CS Machogu will release the KCSE results for 2023. To all parents, appreciate whichever grade your kid will have scored and help them join vocational training or TVET. Not getting university direct entry grades is not the end."

KNEC invites international delegation to observe exam processing

Kenyans raised concerns after KNEC welcomed guests from foreign examination boards on December 19 to observe the processing of the results.

"Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) CEO, Dr. David Njengere, welcomes guests from foreign examination boards who are in Kenya this week to observe the processing of the 2023 KCSE examination. KNEC has received guests from Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, South Sudan, Zambia, and Eswatini who are members of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA)," said KNEC.

Njengere, the president of AEAA, noted that Kenya is open to the exchange of ideas and collaboration with other examination boards across Africa to set common standards.

Why are Kenyans concerned about delay?

In the four years preceding the outbreak of the coronavirus, the results were unveiled a few days before the Christmas celebration.

This allowed parents enough time to prepare for the day and gift their children accordingly.

However, after the education calendar was disrupted by the virus, the ministry released the results depending on the times the examinations were held.

KCPE results released

The 2023 KCPE results were released after three weeks. However, the results presented a lot of challenges, with most students disliking the results.

KNEC admitted the mistakes and corrected them before the candidates were placed in different secondary schools for higher learning.

Other schools disowned the results and filed petitions with the court.