KCSE 2024: Ten Subjects that Saw a Decrease in Student Achievement.
The 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations reflected notable advancements in the performance of students across various subjects. In particular, candidates showed considerable improvement in 17 out of the 30 subjects offered during the exams.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba highlighted that several subjects recorded significant gains.
These included Mathematics (Alternative A & B), Biology, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History and Government, Geography, IRE, Agriculture, Woodwork, Metalwork, Drawing and Design, Aviation Technology, Computer Studies, Kenyan Sign Language, and Business Studies.
KCSE 2024 Worst Performed Subjects
However, there were areas where performance dipped. Ten subjects saw a decrease in student achievement. These included English, Kiswahili, Biology for the Blind, Christian Religious Education (CRE), Home Science, Building Construction, Electricity, French, German, and Music.
A gender analysis of the results revealed that female candidates outperformed male candidates in the mean score across seven subjects. These subjects were English, Kiswahili, Kenyan Sign Language, French, Home Science, CRE, and Art & Design.
In contrast, male candidates outperformed females in 23 subjects, including Mathematics, Biology (and Biology for the Blind), Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History and Government, Geography, IRE, Woodwork, Metalwork, Building Construction, Power Mechanics, Electricity, Drawing & Design, Aviation Technology, Agriculture, Computer Studies, German, Arabic, Music, and Business Studies.
Grading System and University Admission
Mr. Ogamba further explained that, similar to the 2023 KCSE exams, the 2024 results were graded under a revised system. This new grading structure considered three critical components: Mathematics, the best-performing language among English, Kiswahili, and Kenyan Sign Language, and the top five subjects.
The improved performance in various subjects contributed to a substantial increase in the number of students qualifying for direct university entry. The 2024 results showed a remarkable rise in the number of candidates who met the university entry requirements with a grade of C+ or higher. A total of 246,391 candidates, representing 25.5% of the cohort, qualified for direct university entry. This marked a significant increase from the 201,133 candidates (18.8%) who were eligible in 2023.
TVET and Overall Performance
Moreover, the number of candidates who achieved at least a grade of C- (qualifying for TVET diplomas) also surged in 2024. The number stood at 476,889 (49.4%) compared to 401,216 (44.42%) in the previous year.
In conclusion, while the 2024 KCSE results showcased substantial improvements in many areas, certain subjects experienced declines, and gender performance disparities remained prominent across various disciplines.
KCSE 2024: Ten Subjects that Saw a Decrease in Student Achievement.
