MPs raise concern over 9,000 pupils who missed final KCPE exam
Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, while requesting a statement in the National Assembly, urged the government to give the affected learners a chance to resit the exam and continue with their education.
Parliament has raised concern over the future of more than 9,000 pupils who missed the final Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination in 2023, with lawmakers demanding urgent action to ensure the affected learners are not left behind during the country’s education transition.
Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, while requesting a statement in the National Assembly, urged the government to give the affected learners a chance to resit the exam and continue with their education. She said many of the pupils missed the tests due to unavoidable circumstances and should not be denied access to secondary school.
“More than 9,000 pupils did not sit the KCPE examination in 2023 and other years, the majority being girls affected by pregnancies, illness and other circumstances,” Elachi said.
Data from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) shows that 9,354 pupils out of 1,406,557 registered candidates missed the 2023 KCPE exam. Of those registered, 721,544 were boys and 685,017 were girls.
Elachi insisted that many of the pupils who missed the tests still want to continue with their studies and should be supported.
The MP also expressed concern that some students could be barred from sitting the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination, which will be conducted for the final time in 2027 as Kenya phases out the 8-4-4 system.
She called on the Ministry of Education and relevant authorities to explain the steps being taken to ensure a smooth transition for all learners, including how KCPE results will be aligned with the new Competency-Based Education (CBE) system to facilitate entry into senior secondary.
The National Assembly now wants clarity on how pupils affected by the shift from 8-4-4 to CBE will be handled, especially those with KCPE certificates, as the country prepares for full implementation of the new curriculum.
A total of 1, 406, 557 candidates sat for the KCPE 2023 exams.
Ezekiel Machogu, the Education CS at the same time announced only two candidates were involved in exam malpractices during the exams.
Machogu said one of the candidates was found with unauthorised notes while the other one was found with a mobile phone.
