Anxiety over KCPE results hitch as Central girls dominate

Schools in Central Kenya were the worst affected by the delay in accessing KCPE results following a technical hitch from the Kenya National Examination Council and mobile service providers.

There was anxiety as parents, learners and t="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/education/article/2001485965/joy-as-twins-excel-in-national-exam-results">eachers unsuccessfully attempted<, through short message code, to access the results following the announcement by Education CS Ezekiel Machogu at 11am Thursday.

At Nyeri Moi Complex, the principal, Mr Vincent Mwangi, was frustrated after he failed to access results after several attempts.

"This is very frustrating. I am using my resources to send these messages and getting no results. It is a very slow and disappointing process," he said.

"There is nothing more I can do because the system seems to be down. I have no results to share with you but I will keep trying," Mwangi told the learners and their parents.

Mwangi urged the government to upgrade the system to enable them to access results and ease the tension.

He said the system may have been overwhelmed. Each SMS was charged at Sh25. "I sent four messages which took Sh100 credit, yet I did not get a single response," he said.

The head teacher of Nyamachaki Primary, Mr James Mwaniki, ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/education/article/2001485940/only-two-cheating-cases-recorded-in-2023-kcpe-exam">had the same challenge< even as the school community went into panic mode.

At Ndima Kanini Primary School, the news of Debrah Aluel's astounding achievement spread across Karatina town in Nyeri County like bush fire.

Aluel's performance was remarkable as she scored 425 marks in the KCPE examination.

At Githii Primary School, principal Peter Njau said that by 5:30 pm, they had only received results for three candidates.

"The delay in receiving exam results has triggered anxiety. We are frustrated. Parents want to know how their children have performed," he said.

He said the lack of clarity regarding the technical hitch had caused them a lot of distress. "We hope the issue will be addressed as soon as possible to enable us get the results."

The situation was the same at Karatina DEB primarily school, with Deputy Principal Charles Mundia saying they had only received half of the results by 5:37 pm.

"We are halfway done. We hope to have more results before the day ends. Our top student has 420 marks," he said.

Victoria Wangeshi, the top student at Karatina DEB, was elated despite the delay in accessing her results.

"I was anxious but I'm very happy. I achieved this through hard work and self-discipline. Our teachers prepared us well. My dream is to join Kenya High School and become a neurosurgeon in future," she said.

In Meru County, girls topped in the KCPE results at Consolata Primary School Meru. At least 12 girls were among the 19 pupils who got 400 marks and above.

Stecy Mwendwa emerged top, out of 117 candidates, with 417 marks. Her study mate Precious Wanjiru scored an impressive 411 marks.

"I expected to do well but I did not expect to top the school. I thank our teachers for putting pressure on us to study. I thank my study mate Precious because we assisted each another to succeed," said Mwendwa, who dreams of becoming a pilot.

Wanjiru said the 411 she got was not what she expected. "I was aiming for a 420 and above, but I am happy. I thank my study mate, my parents and teachers, who supported and encouraged me," Mwendwa said.

Mwendwa's mother, Rita Kaburu and ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001485926/video-top-kcpe-student-michael-warutere-speaks">Wanjiru's Rose Nyanchomba<, were beside themselves with joy even as they joined in dance and song.

"It is God. It has been God all through, and I happy with my daughter's performance. She is my first-born daughter and has always done very well, from kindergarten," said Ms Kaburu.

Ms Nyanchomba said: "When we heard it was a 411, we were very happy. We always had confidence in her abilities."

Consolata's Primary school head teacher, Sister Lucia Kawira, attributed their success to cooperation from teachers, parents, and students.

"Discipline and hard work did it for our learners. We also tried to create a conducive environment for them," she said.

In Muranga County, Technology Primary School and Emmanuel Primary School in Murang'a and Kangari, were among hundreds of examination centres that waited for long hours to access the results.

Technology Primary head teacher Beatrice Wachira said they had challenges accessing the results. "We are working on the results. Six of our candidates scored above 400 marks," said Wachira.

At Kibutha Boarding Primary School, three candidates registered 400 marks and above.

[Purity Mwangi, Phares Mutembei, Boniface Gikandi, Amos Kiarie]