The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) Chief Executive Officer, David Njengere, defended sub-county school performance. He stated that analyzing student results without considering entry behaviour in Form One is unfair and misleading.
Njengere emphasized that education outcomes are determined long before students sit for their final KCSE examinations. He explained that the system itself significantly influences performance differences between national and sub-county schools.
Entry Behaviour Shapes School Outcomes
Learners with high KCPE scores almost always join national schools, while lower scorers mostly enter sub-county schools. Njengere highlighted that those scoring 400 marks and above almost exclusively proceed to national schools, creating selection bias.
Students entering sub-county schools often scored 200 marks and below, limiting their initial academic foundation. The KNEC CEO explained that this difference makes it unrealistic to expect identical results across school categories.
He noted that the performance gap is largely determined at entry and cannot be reversed entirely within four years. Authorities must therefore consider the entry statistics before comparing sub-county and national school performance.
Statistical Perspective Shows Positive Trajectory
Njengere pointed out that data indicates a positive trend in sub-county school results over recent years. About 13 percent of learners in sub-county schools attained C+ and above, demonstrating potential for future improvement.
He explained that consistent improvement in performance reflects better teaching, resource allocation, and school management practices. Authorities believe that investing more resources into sub-county schools could further elevate students’ outcomes significantly.
The KNEC CEO emphasized that statistical analysis is a more accurate method than comparing raw results alone. This perspective provides insight into student potential and realistic expectations across different school categories.
Current KCSE Performance Statistics
The 2025 KCSE results show that out of 993,226 candidates, 1,932 obtained an overall mean grade of A plain. Meanwhile, 270,715 candidates attained a grade of C+ or higher, qualifying them for direct university entry.
A total of 507,131 students scored C- and above, reflecting incremental performance improvement in the country. Furthermore, 634,082 candidates scored D+ and above, increasing compared to 605,774 in the 2024 examination.
Njengere explained that these figures indicate progress in national education outcomes despite challenges in sub-county schools. The statistics reveal that targeted interventions can yield measurable improvements over time.
Challenges and Opportunities in Sub-County Schools
Njengere acknowledged that students in sub-county schools face disadvantages compared to their counterparts in national schools. These learners often start with lower KCPE scores, creating an uphill battle to achieve high KCSE results within four years.
Despite these challenges, the data shows promising trends, with a growing proportion of students attaining grades of C+ and above. Authorities believe that strengthening resources, teacher capacity, and learning environments will increase this percentage further.
The KNEC CEO emphasized that no child should fail if all necessary factors are addressed, including teaching quality and learning materials. He argued that systematic support for sub-county schools can reduce educational inequities and enhance overall national performance.
Implications for Education Policy and Resource Allocation
Njengere’s comments highlight the importance of considering entry behaviour when designing education policies. Authorities must ensure that sub-county schools receive adequate resources to close performance gaps effectively.
He recommended strategic investment in infrastructure, teacher training, and learning tools to maximize student potential. Officials believe that evidence-based resource allocation can transform sub-county schools into high-performing institutions over time.
The KNEC CEO concluded that sub-county schools are showing measurable improvement despite historical performance challenges. Authorities view current trends as a signal that targeted interventions will continue yielding results in future KCSE examinations.
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