This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
Published on July 18, 2019, a study by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), and other organizations revealed that 85 percent of students sitting for final exams in Kilifi County are over-age.
According to the study, this issue contributes significantly to low examination performance in the county. Kilifi County Chief Executive Member (CEM) Gabriel Katana expressed shock over the high number of over-age students in Kilifi schools, stating, 'Let us address this issue and see how through the new curriculum the levels of performance can improve in our county.'
CEM Katana also highlighted the example of students aged 20 years enrolled at various primary schools in the county. Kilifi County Commissioner Magu Mutundika noted that other challenges facing the county and affecting the education sector include teenage pregnancy, with 17,000 cases reported, and understaffing, which he urged the government to address to improve quality and performance of exams.
Commissioner Mutundika emphasized the need to address these challenges before implementing the CBC, saying, 'If we need the CBC to be successful first we should address the challenges facing us, so that when implementing it, there will be a conducive environment.'
