Eight Junior Starlets to sit for KCSE exams amid U17 World Cup campaign

Eight Junior Starlets players, who are set to sit for their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams at the end of the year, can now breathe a sigh of relief.

The eight players include Rebecca Odato Orute from Dagoretti Mixed, Velma Awour and Christine Adhiambo from AIC Nyakach Girls, Lorine Illavonga and Velma Bwire from Wiyeta Girls, Quinter Adhiambo from Alara Girls, Clares Meries from Kobala Secondary School, and Marion Serenge from Archbishop Njenga.

In a letter dated August 12, 2024, the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) acknowledged letters referenced SDSD 9/3 VOL. III, dated July 29 and August 7, 2024. These letters were requests from the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, seeking special examination arrangements for the Form Four and Class Eight candidates who are part of the Kenya Under-17 National Women's Team.

Kenya U17 players, Rebecca Odato Orute from Dagoretti Mixed, Velma Awour and Christine Adhiambo from AIC Nyakach Girls, Lorine Illavonga and Velma Bwire from Wiyeta Girls, Quinter Adhiambo from Alara Girls, Clares Meries from Kobala Secondary School, and Marion Serenge from… pic.twitter.com/QFSInifpRw

— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) August 22, 2024

The request was made after the Junior Starlets qualified for the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 in the Dominican Republic, following an aggregate 5-0 victory over Burundi.

KNEC has taken note of the tournament fixtures, which indicate that Kenya will play Group C matches between October 18 and 24, 2024, with potential quarter-final matches scheduled between October 26 and 28, 2024. In light of this, KNEC will coordinate with the examination centre managers of the affected six secondary schools to make appropriate arrangements for administering the 2024 KCSE papers that coincide with the World Cup fixtures.

The main KCSE examinations will commence on November 4, 2024, and conclude on November 22, 2024. However, French and Home Science subjects, which have oral and practical components, will start earlier on October 22, 2024. This will affect two of the eight national team players.

KNEC has encouraged the players to continue preparing for their examinations alongside their World Cup training, ensuring they are ready to sit for the exams upon their return.