UoN VC Exposes How KNEC’s Grading System Fails KCSE Students
Prof. John Kiama, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, has condemned the grading method employed by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) for what he terms as an intentional attempt to fail candidates.
Kiama says that the grading system established by the examination council decreased the number of students progressing to universities, putting an end to the hopes of many individuals who wished to pursue higher education.
Kiama cautioned that the low number of university-eligible students was a worrisome indicator of the country’s education sector’s effectiveness.
“Since about 2016 and 2017- KNEC decided to fail everyone in the country. Today the mode for the national exam is D-. What are we doing for children it is not possible,” Kiama claimed.
“In 2016 we had like about 35 per cent of students passed until when there was that interference, that number dropped to about 10 per cent,” he added.
According to the vice-chancellor, the low number of university students demonstrates the inadequacy of Kenya’s educational system.
He stated that the fact that just 10% of students were enrolled in tertiary education was illogical.
In addition, Kiama stated that the rigorous marking system was an impediment for Kenyan students who wished to pursue higher education abroad.
“You go to the developed world, the percentage of those who have attained is more than 60 per cent.
“How do we have a population where only 10 per cent can attain a university level of education because of their grades?” the professor posed.
Moreover, he suggested reevaluating the examination structure so that a greater proportion of pupils enroll in universities.
“There must be moderation. After the exam, you must draw appropriate curves so that you know who is in this quartile and who can go and do engineering and medicine,” Kiama stated.
Prof. Kiama is a member of the presidential working group tasked with conducting surveys and recommending Competency-Based Curriculum revisions.
As of publication, KNEC had not yet reacted to Kiama’s charges.
