Rise of grade 'E' in national and private schools sparks concern

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba (right), Principal Secretaries Belio Kipsang and Beatrice Inyangala during the release of the 2024 KCSE examination results at Mtihani House, Nairobi, on January 9, 2025. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

Concern is growing over the high number of students in coveted national and private schools who are scoring grade E, with thousands more failing to attain the minimum university entry grade.

Shocking details have also emerged regarding the high number of students in private schools, most of which boast better facilities and adequate teachers, who still fail to attain the C plus university entry grade despite the significant investment made by parents.

National schools admit the crème de la crème of Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) candidates, most of whom score 400 marks and above, and the fees paid by parents in these institutions are also the highest.