This archive report was first published on 11 August 2019.
December 21, 2017, marked a significant day for Kenya as the Kenya Certificate of Education (KCSE) examination results were released. Raila Odinga, NASA coalition leader, took to the stage to congratulate the students, teachers, and schools for their exemplary performance.
While acknowledging the improvements at the Kenya National Examination Council, which led to a reduction in cheating and a speedy release of results, Odinga expressed deep concern over the high number of students failing to make the transition to university. The overall number of candidates with a minimum university entry qualification, Grade C+ and above, stood at a mere 11.38%, while close to 90% of the KCSE candidates failed to meet the qualification.
As the country commits resources to free learning and scales up enrollment, Odinga emphasized that the purpose and value for money are lost when close to 90% of those students eventually fail. He called upon the nation to listen to the cries of the candidates, parents, and teachers' unions and have a serious conversation about this worrying trend of very low transition to the university.
With the country demanding skilled manpower to achieve its ambitious growth goals, Odinga urged the nation not to give up on its children. He encouraged those who have not been lucky to never lose confidence in what they are capable of achieving.
