Number of under-age candidates declines to 4,955

The number of under-age candidates in the 2015 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations went down by at least 74 per cent.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the number of those aged below 12 years sitting for the examinations decreased from last year’s 18,871 to 4,955.

He lauded education stakeholders for sensitising parents on the dangers of enrolling children in school at a very early age. Much, however, needs to be done since some counties recorded a large number of such candidates.

“I am gratified to note that the number of under-age candidates, that is, those below the age of 12 years, decreased from 18,871 in 2014 to 4,955 in 2015, a percentage decrease of 73.74,” he said Wednesday while releasing this year’s KCPE results.

He said parents were finally heeding to the ministry’s directive to enrol children in school at the appropriate age.

“The sensitisation undertaken by various education stakeholders to educate parents on the dangers of enrolling children in school at a very early age are also bearing fruit as attested by the decrease in the number of under-age candidates that sat for this year’s examination,” he noted.

Dr Matiang’i said Nairobi, Kericho, Murang’a, Bomet and Kitui counties had a large number of under-age candidates compared to other counties.