Boys in North Eastern counties dominate 2024 KCSE candidature as girls lead countrywide

North Eastern counties, including Mandera, Garissa, and Wajir, recorded the highest male representation in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.

Of the 962,512 candidates who sat the exams, 480,310 were boys, while 482,202 were girls, marking the first time since the inception of KCSE that female candidates outnumbered males.

Education CS Julius Ogamba announced that the total candidature in 2024 increased by 64,553 (7.19 per cent) compared to 2022 when 899,453 students sat the exams.

Boys constituted 49.90 per cent of the total candidates, while girls accounted for 50.10 per cent.

Mandera, Garissa, and Wajir counties led with the most male-dominated candidature, registering 63.83 per cent, 62.83 per cent, and 60.27 per cent male candidates, respectively. Other counties with significant male representation included Turkana, Samburu, Narok, and Homabay.

Conversely, 14 counties recorded higher girls participation, with Vihiga (55.15 per cent), Elgeyo Marakwet (53.76 per cent), and Kirinyaga (51.46 per cent) among the counties where female candidates outnumbered males.

Ogamba also noted that candidates aged 17-19 years constituted the majority of examinees, at 70.95 per cent (684,765 candidates).

Those aged 20 years and above formed 22.07 per cent, while the youngest group, aged 16 and below, increased from 16,040 in 2023 to 20,546 in 2024.

Of the 30 subjects offered, 17 recorded improved performance, including Mathematics (alternatives A and B), Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Business Studies.

However, the CS said 10 subjects saw a decline, among them English, Kiswahili, CRE, and Music.

Female candidates performed better than males in seven subjects, including English, Kiswahili, Home Science, and CRE. Male candidates excelled in 23 subjects, including Mathematics, Physics, Geography, and Agriculture.

The number of candidates scoring an overall grade A rose to 1,693 (0.18 per cent) in 2024, compared to 1,216 (0.14 per cent) in 2023. Those attaining a university-qualifying grade of C+ and above increased to 246,391 (25.53 per cent), up from 201,133 (22.27 per cent) in 2023, attributed to a revised grading system.

Candidates eligible for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) diploma courses with a grade of C- and above reached 476,889 (49.41 per cent), up from 401,216 (44.42 per cent) the previous year.

Additionally, those achieving a pass grade of D+ and above increased to 605,774 (62.76 per cent), compared to 526,222 (58.27 per cent) in 2023.

Ogamba emphasised that the new grading system, which includes Mathematics, the best-performed language, and the top five subjects, played a significant role in the improved outcomes.