Learners who missed 2023 KCPE to sit special exams in January

Kakamega Hill School class 8 candidates in the examination room waiting to write their first paper on October 30, 2023. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) will administer special exams in January 2024 for the 9,354 candidates who missed the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams this year. 

Speaking during the release of the 2023 KCPE exam results, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said that the exam will be written by candidates who had registered.

"The 9,354 candidates will be given special exams in January next year to enable them to join Secondary schools after failing to sit the 2023 KCPE exams for one reason or another," stated Machogu. 

The CS who was speaking at Mtihani House in Nairobi on Thursday also said that a total of 26,316,037 candidates had sat for the KCPE exams in the last 39 years since the inception of the 8-4-4 system in 1985.

He thanked the 28,533 KCPE center managers who he said ensured that both KCPE and KPSEA happen despite the El Nino rains experienced in most parts of the country.

"I have to thank all those who coordinated the delivery and invigilation of the exams in all the centers across the country. We lost an officer in Siaya and the Ministry wishes to condole with the family of the gallant officer," the CS said.

KNEC engaged the services of 5,692 examiners during the marking of English Composition, Kenyan Sign Language Composition, and Kiswahili Insha who were all feted.

Education Principal Secretary (PS) Beilo Kipsang confirmed that all examiners and markers have been paid and it will be the same for the markers involved in KCSE. The government says it is fast-tracking the release of capitation funds by the end of the first term.

At the same time, Kipsang honoured teachers for successfully managing to sail the 8-4-4 system that comes to an end after the release of the 2023 KCPE.

According to Kipsang, the over 26 million Kenyans who have gone through the 8-4-4 system translate to 70 per cent of the current adult population.

"It has not been an easy journey, but you have delivered, from the Education Ministry, we can only say 'Thank you' for the good service," said Kipsang. 

The school calendar will now resume normalcy when the schools reopen on January 8, 2024, after being disrupted during the Covid period.