NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 1 – Tony Edgar of Maseno High School has emerged the top student in the 2012 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations with a mean score of 89.86.
Oliver Kiarie of Maranda High School and Victor Borona of Alliance High School were placed in second and third positions respectively, in the results released by Education Minister Mutula Kilonzo.
The fourth slot was taken by Abdalla Yusuf of Alliance High School, followed in fifth position by Elkana Obare of Maranda High School.
“Number one is Tony Edgar with a performance index of 86.99 percent from Maseno School in Kisumu County. He is followed by Kiarie Oliver from Maranda High school with a performance index of 86. 967 percent. They are followed also by a male, Victor Borona with a performance index of 86.871 percent,” he said.
Kilonzo said there was a slight improvement in the general performance compared to the 2011 examination results, with 123,704 candidates obtaining the minimum university entry qualification of C+ and above compared to 119,658 candidates in 2011.
The number of candidates who scored an overall mean grade A also increased slightly from 1,930 candidates in 2011 to 1,975 candidates 2012.
“There were therefore more candidates who acquired more quality grades in 2012 KCSE examination when compared to 2011 despite the teachers’ strike,” Kilonzo explained.
A total of 298,560 candidates scored D+ and above in 2012 representing 68.46 percent compared to 292,321 candidates in 2011.
The minister also noted a significant decrease in irregularities with 1,700 students who were involved in cheating.
Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Machakos, Kitui, Isiolo, Samburu, Kajiado, Elgeyo Marakwet and Vihiga did not record cases of irregularities.
“There was a 41.92 percent decrease in the number of candidates who were involved in examination irregularities compared to 2011 which is a huge drop,” he said adding: “Despite this drop in cases of examination irregularities, we must do everything possible to ensure that cheating is stamped out of our examination system and it is the responsibility of every Kenyan.”
The top 10 counties in order of merit were Samburu, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Siaya, Embu Transnzoia, Bomet, Nandi, Uasin Gishu and Kisumu.
In the 2012 examinations the Kenya National Examinations Council offered the examination to 879 candidates with special needs, 22 candidates in prisons and 215 candidates in hospitals.
Kilonzo also disclosed that his ministry was in the process of establishing a more holistic approach in the ranking of schools that encompasses leadership and governance, co-curricular activities, physical facilities, environmental management and peace education and integration.
Source:capitalfm.co.ke
