Home Education
Category:

Education

KUCCPS application

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has opened the portal for the KCSE 2023 cohort to select their programs and institutions of higher learning.

While this presents an exciting opportunity for students, some have encountered technical difficulties during the application process.

To address these challenges, KUCCPS has extended the application period to February 26, 2024, and in this guide, Daily Trends will walk you through a step-by-step process to ensure a seamless application experience, especially when dealing with payment references.

Navigating the KUCCPS Student Portal

  1. Start by visiting the KUCCPS website and search for ‘KUCCPS Students Portal’ on your preferred search engine.
  2. Click on ‘Student Login’ and enter your KCSE Index Number, exam year, and password (birth certificate number or KCPE Index number). If issues persist, contact KUCCPS for assistance.

Selecting KUCCPS Programs

  1. After logging in, go to the ‘Programme lists’ tab to access documents for various programs, including degrees, diplomas, certificates, and artisan programs.
  2. Choose your desired program, and download the associated PDF file containing information such as available programs, program codes, and previous cut-off points.

KUCCPS Application Process

  1. Return to the portal, click on ‘Application/Revision,’ and fill in the codes for the chosen courses. The system will indicate whether you meet the minimum requirements.
  2. Click ‘Submit’ and follow the payment instructions in the pop-up box.

KUCCPS Payment Instructions

  1. Click on “Click HERE to make payment” to obtain the account number needed for payment via the 222222 paybill number on eCitizen.
  2. Access your MPESA menu, select Lipa na MPESA, choose paybill, enter 222222 as the paybill number, and input the account number provided by the portal (e.g., GHMNYZ).
  3. Complete the payment, but remember, when asked for the payment reference during the application, use the same account number you used for payment (e.g., GHMNYZ). Don’t use the MPESA reference code.

Confirmation of Application

  1. After entering the correct details, a pop-up message will confirm the successful application.

By following these step-by-step instructions, you can navigate the KUCCPS application process smoothly, minimizing the risk of encountering errors and ensuring a successful application for your desired programs.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
2023 KCSE top scorer

In the realm of academic achievements, there are stories that stand out as extraordinary, breaking conventional norms and showcasing the indomitable spirit of perseverance.

One such story is that of Ochieng Clinton, a tenacious individual whose academic journey is nothing short of inspiring.

The Initial Aspiration

Ochieng’s dream of pursuing medicine was not an overnight decision.

Back in 2016, he sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and scored a commendable B+.

Despite his zeal for medicine, his cluster points did not align with the requirements for the coveted course.

A Detour into Public Health

Undeterred by the setback, Ochieng embraced an alternative path.

He accepted an offer to study public health at the university, showcasing his resilience and adaptability.

Not only did he complete his degree, but he also graduated with first-class honors in 2021. This accomplishment demonstrated Ochieng’s commitment to excellence, even in the face of unexpected turns.

Returning to High School

With his first-class degree in hand, Ochieng made a bold decision—to return to high school.

In a rare move, he enrolled in Form 3 at Magwar Model Secondary School in Kisumu County. His aim was clear: to improve his cluster points and pursue his lifelong dream of studying medicine.

Second Attempt at KCSE

The year 2023 marked a significant chapter in Ochieng’s academic journey as he sat for the KCSE once again as he faced the examination with a fresh perspective.

A Triumph Straight A’s Unveiled

In the results that were released by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu on January 8, 2024, Ochieng Clinton emerged as one of the top scorers.

He achieved the remarkable feat of straight A’s in five of the subjects he was tested, with two A-‘s and a B plain in one subject.

Ochieng scored a B (plain) in English, A- (minus) in Kiswahili, A (plain) in Mathematics, A (plain) in Biology, A- (minus) in Physics, A (plain) in Chemistry, A (plain) in Geography, and A (plain) in Business Studies.

His brother Steve Otieno took to his X account to celebrate the results.

This outstanding accomplishment not only reflected his academic prowess but also underscored the transformative power of unwavering determination.

Fulfilling the Dream

With his newfound success, Ochieng is now poised to embark on the journey he had envisioned from the beginning—studying medicine.

The hurdles and detours along the way have only strengthened his resolve, turning his dream into a triumph against all odds.

His journey serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring individuals navigating the complex landscape of academic pursuits.

As Ochieng takes the next step towards realizing his dream of studying medicine, he leaves an indelible mark, inspiring others to persevere and embrace the extraordinary possibilities that lie within their reach.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
2023 kcse exam results

Over 1,000 students scored straight As in the recently released 2023 KCSE exam results.

This is according to an announcement by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, who released the results on Monday, January 8, 2024, at Moi Girls High School in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.

Machogu indicated that 1,216 candidates, representing 0.14 per cent, got straight As in 2023 compared to 1,146 in 2022.

Broken down, a total of 7,254 got A- (minus), 18,078 attained B+ (plus), 36,728 got B (plain) while 78,343 got C+ (plus).

A total of 92, 612 candidates got C (plain), 107,471 C-(minus), 125, 006 D+ (plus), 155, 276 D (plain), 165, 861 D-, and 48, 174 E.

In total, 201,133 candidates, representing 22.27 per cent, scored C+ and above and will be eligible for direct access to the university. The improvement in performance was attributed to the new grading system. 

825 male students achieved As compared to 391 female counterparts while 4,472 male students got A- (minus) compared to 2,782 female students.

A total of 903,260 students sat last year’s KCSE exams, an increase from 881,416 candidates who took the exams in 2022.

Of the 899,453 candidates who sat the 2023 KCSE Examination, 450,554 were male, while 448,899 were female, representing 50.09% and 49.91% of the total candidature respectively. 

Parents, candidates and teachers had problems accessing the results on the KNEC portal, which had earlier on crashed.

The technical issues on the portal have since been solved, and here is a step by step guide on how to access the 2023 KCSE exam results.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has officially announced the 2023 KCSE exam results.

Unlike the previous years, parents and candidates will have to check the results through an online portal.

While announcing the results in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County this morning, CS Machogu said the results can be accessed through the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) portal.

“Individual 2023 KCSE candidates’ examination results will be accessed online through a link on the KNEC website or directly through the URL: https://results.knec.ac.ke. The results will be immediately available after this exercise,” CS Machogu said.

KNEC through their official social media accounts posted a step by step guide on how the 2023 KCSE exam results can be accessed.

First, open a search engine of your choice (such as google, Mozilla Firefox, Opera etc) on your mobile phone or computer then key in the url https://results.knec.ac.ke.

After accessing the portal, enter the candidate’s index number and name as per the 2023 KCSE registration data, then submit the information.

The 2023 KCSE results of the particular candidate will display on the screen.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu is set to release the 2023 KCSE Exam Results today, Monday January 8, 2024.

The CS is expected to brief President William Ruto this morning before he releases the results from Moi Girls High School in Eldoret.

The brief will focus on the exam preparations, administration, conduct, marking and moderation of the tests.

According to sources, the meeting was scheduled to start at 7:30am.

Ministry officials are already in Eldoret.

This will be the second time the ministry of Education will be releasing the results away from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) headquarters in Nairobi.

Last year, Machogu had indicated that the 2023 KCSE exam results would be released in the second week of January 2024.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Education CS Ezekiel Machogu has announced new timeline for the release of the KCSE 2023 exam results.

Machogu has said the much awaited results will be announced in the second week of January, 2024.

The CS on Thursday December 28 said compilation, verification and validation of scores is currently ongoing.

The ministry of Education has been under pressure to release the 2023 KCSE exam results.

The KCSE exam marking started on November 27th and ended on December 13th, 2023.

The marking exercise was initially scheduled to conclude on December 11, 2023, but was extended by two additional days, disrupting the planned release date for the results between December 16th and 22nd.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) urged CS Machogu over the weekend to grant examiners more time to compile and award KCSE applicants the grades they deserve.

Aggrey Namisi, National Vice Chairperson KNUT, told the press in Bungoma on Saturday that the KCPE results were hurried, resulting in inaccuracies.

Because of technical difficulties encountered during the transmission of the KCPE results, the KCSE results will not be available via Short Messaging Service (SMS).

The 2023 KCSE results will be available via the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS) portal.

To obtain the results, parents and candidates will go to the website and enter the KCSE names and index numbers.

A total of 903,260 candidates sat for the 2023 KCSE exam.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

ODM leader Raila Odinga’s staunch supporter Nuru Okanga has finally broken his silence on his 2023 KCPE results.

Soon after Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu announced the last KCPE results, screenshots started doing rounds on social media, indicating that Nuru Okanga had scored 401 marks.

However, the Bunge la Mwananchi member has distanced himself from the said screenshot.

Nuru Okanga became the number one trending topic across almost all social media platforms after the fake results estimated that he got between 401 and 405 marks placing him among the top 20 students nationally.

Nuru Okanga sat for the 2023 KCPE examinations at Mumias Muslim Primary School.

Okanga has, however, disclosed that he has not yet received his results after sending his index number to to 40054.

In a phone interview with Daily Trends, the index number 37610677055 doing rounds did not belong to him as his starts with the figures 379.

He said he will disclose his marks once he receives the sms.

The top candidate in the 2023 KCPE scored 428 marks out of a possible 500.

Only 8,525 candidates were able to score 400 marks and above with 352,782 students scoring between 300 and 399 marks. 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

The 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams top candidate scored 428 marks out of a possible 500. 

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu announced the results on Thursday November 23, 2023.

This last KCPE exam as the Ministry of Education phases out the 8-4-4 curriculum to be fully replaced by a Competence Based Curriculum (CBC).

Out of the over 1.4 million candidates that sat for the exam, only 8,525 candidates were able to score 400 marks and above with 352,782 students scoring between 300 and 399 marks. 

The majority of pupils scored between 200 to 299 with 658,278 candidates falling into that category. 

383,025 candidates scored between 100 to 199 marks with the rest of the candidates scoring below 100 marks. 

The national examination had minimum malpractice with only two pupils out of 1.4 million candidates engaging in exam irregularity. 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has broken his silence after yet another student lost his testicle after he was assaulted by his teachers in a school in Kisii County.

A 19-year-old form four student at Nyabisia Secondary School, in Nyamache division, Bobasi constituency has stirred a debate after he narrated how teachers at the school brutalized him.

According to the student, five teachers and a school security guard brutalized him and damaged one of his testicles which doctors at Hema Hospital in Kisii said had raptured.

The students testicle raptured following the beating he received. It was removed at the hospital.

CS Machogu while commenting on the incident said the law should take its course.

Machogu termed the perpetrators as criminals and not teachers, who should be taken to court and dismissed from the service.

The CS said teachers are not allowed to go to that extent while administering discipline.

“To me, these are just criminals and I cannot even call them teachers. The law should take its course. They should be taken to court and dismissed from service,” Machogu was quoted by Nation as having said.

This is the second incident involving rogue teachers beating up and leading to a student losing his testis, after minor offences committed by the learners. A week ago, another student suffered the same fate after vicious beatings by his teachers.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Mount Kenya University (MKU) has prided itself as one of the fastest growing institutions of its kind in the 2000s.

Over the period of its existence many cases have emerged, some going all the way to the court, with accusations of the founder of the university for poor land handling and in some cases, obvious land fraud allegations.

But frequent invitations to the mention of the name of its founder Simon Gicharu allows one to interrogate the nature and type of the explosive rise of the university.

Gicharu, a close ally to the Kenya state operatives has been a great beneficiary of State appointments, serving in leading parastatals in the country including the multi-billion shilling Geothermal Development Corporation, a clear reward for his reward towards former President Uhuru regime since 2013.

At the same time, the Ministry of Education capitation for private universities saw thousands of students get State capitation with MKU among the biggest beneficiaries of the programme.

“We are working on the figures and monies that MKU received and soon, we shall make it public. The figures are high and I can assure you that some of you will be shocked,” says a member of the National Assembly Education Committee.

On the other hand, the country’s legal fraternity is still apprehensive of the university’s School of Law at the speed it acquired the charter to offer Law ahead of some of the established public universities.

“MKU has a few things to reply to in this country. The millions they received and the nature of the scandals they have weathered in the recent past has many people thinking about the operations. We cannot rule out the closeness to power that the owner enjoys in many places in our country. All that will be known when the matter is put to discussion,” the MP in the Education Committee says.

Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) looking into the allegations of fraud in an inflated Sh1.2 billion campus purchase deal between MMUST and Mount Kenya University (MKU) has been set rolling.

The commission had commenced investigations into the matter following a complaint that MMUST had purchased the MKU Turkana Campus at an exorbitant price of Sh1.2 billion yet the property was valued at Sh600 million.

Investigations established that the acquisition was initiated through a letter dated March 17, 2016, by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of MMUST, Planning, Research and Innovation to the Cabinet Secretary of Education Science and Technology.

Investigations by the EACC established by the Commission of University of Education (CUE) approved the acquisition stating that it had already accredited the campus. The MMUST University Council also deliberated and approved the acquisition on June 17, 2017.

On July 28, 2022, a report was compiled by the EACC team and forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) with a recommendation for closure of the inquiry file. The report further held that the VC (Prof Otieno) who would have been culpable for failing to adhere to the procurement law and regulations is deceased.

Prof Otieno left office on December 1, 2018, amid a barrage of audit queries. He died in 2019.

Step Up Holdings

Similarly, in its expansion strategy, MKU in a deal sewed up by Simon Gicharu has been embroiled in a land tussle with a firm Step Up Holdings that according to court documents, claim they were shortchanged.

Apparently, MKU through Gicharu, allegedly entered into an agreement with Step Up in 2011 to set up a Nakuru campus mini wing in Kericho town but the owner didn’t measure up leading to a court battle in a supposed Sh511M botched deal between the two entities. Step Up ran the operations of the Nakuru Campus before the clash. This was a gentleman’s deal between the two entrepreneurs meaning it was all verbal.

Step Up Holdings avers that a month after their verbal agreement, the university forced the firm to close the Kericho Campus leading to a loss of Sh953,881.

The firm claims the university then “illegally took over” the campus by relocating 3,807 students and 295 staff to other premises. The court sided with Step Up Holdings and found the university liable for Sh511 million.

In 2012, the Court of Appeal in Nakuru dismissed appeal attempt by MKU dismissing the appellants’ application for stay of proceedings pending Arbitration.

“The background to the appeal is that, both the appellant and the respondent entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) containing an arbitration clause,” Court records show.

However, Nakuru High Court judge Justice Hillary Chemitei allowed the university to file defence Sh511million dispute.

“The interlocutory judgement entered against the applicant or defendant on November 17, 2011, is hereby set aside,” ruled Justice Hilary Chemitei.

“The applicant shall within 30 days from the date herein deposit Sh511million in a joint interest-earning account in the names of both counsel for the applicant and the defendant pending the hearing and determination of the suit,” stated Justice Chetimei.

The court also ordered Step Up Holdings to provide a Sh511million bank guarantee from a reputable firm within 30 days pending the hearing of the case.

Provisions of the MoU cited by the university in its flopped attempt to push for arbitration were dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

Mount Kenya University has found itself once again on the receiving end after entering into a scandalous land deal with an alleged fraudulent businessman leading up to a court battle.

In what was thought to be a smooth deal to acquire a piece of land in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, the institution’s owner Simon Gicharu has once again fallen prey.

The institution dragged a controversial British national Vallabh Haribhai Bakrania to court for allegedly defrauding them of Sh20 million.

Bakrania is accused of obtaining the money by pretending he was in a position to sell to the university a piece of land located in Industrial Area, Nairobi.

Bakrania allegedly committed the offence on 27th November 2020 in Nairobi, with intent to defraud Mount Kenya University.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has given a new directive to all the leaners transiting to grade 7 under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

Machogu has said that the learners should have new uniforms for junior secondary category.

He urged school management to pick colors and types of uniforms for their schools.

He however, said parents will cater for the uniforms.

“The Grade 7 learners will have different uniforms, which the heads of schools will come up with and parents will cater for,” the  CS said. 

The Junior Secondary students will report on January 30. 

Machogu said 14,000 public schools have been assessed and more than 13,000 met the qualification of the Junior Secondary school host.

Junior Secondary students will report on January 30. 

Machogu said 14,000 public schools have been assessed and more than 13,000 met the qualification of the Junior Secondary school host.

The Education CS spoke on Monday during the Form 1 selection exercise at KICD, Nairobi.

On December 1, 2022 the CBC task force recommended that Junior Secondary learners be domiciled in existing primary schools.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

The National government through the Ministry of Education has announced a new date for the re-opening of schools.

Education CS George Magoha through a press statenment on Saturday directed schools to resume on Thursday, August 18, 2022.

The disruptions on school opening day is due to the ongoing election process where the tallying of the election results is still going on.

In his statement, Magoha clarified that students will no longer be required to report to school on Monday, as earlier communicated.

He had earlier announced that schools will be re-opened Monday, August 15, 2022.

Magoha said the ministry has been informed that the process of tallying ballots may still be ongoing on the aforementioned date.

The CS apologized for any inconvenience caused and said his communication supersedes any communication made earlier on basic education institutions.

Schools are traditionally used as polling and tallying centres every election year.

A gazette notice by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission indicated that almost 250 schools will be used as tallying centres.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has today unveiled the 7000 beneficiaries of governor’s scholarship 5th cohort 2022.

At an event that was conducted at Masinde Muliro grounds Webuye, Wangamati said that the county officials participated in visiting the beneficiaries’ homes to make sure that the scholarship is awarded to the most deserving students in the county who are bright and genuinely needy.

In his speech Wangamati said that the county government had initially targeted 3000 students but following the good performance from the needy students, they decided to increase the number to 7000 so as to enable bright but needy students to get their education equally like other children.

He went ahead to note that the program was initiated in 2017 and the pioneering class sat for their examinations in 2022, which 500 students who were beneficiaries sat for their exams and so far, the results received are from 281 students all with good grades.

One Tatiana Wabwire from South Bukusu ward Kimatuni village who scored an A after benefitting from the scholarship 2017 and heading to Pangani girls high school expressed her joy saying that coming from a struggling family, she didn’t know how the fate of her education would be until the program came by.

Tatiana Wabwire. Photo/Courtesy/Governor’s Press Service

“I have been raised by partly my grandfather and my single mother after my dad died in 2013 and it was really hard for me through my primary school education and I didn’t know if at some point I will be standing here with these grades, thanks to governor Wangamati’s scholarship that saw me through my high school education,” said Tatiana

Wangamati went ahead to warn his competitors to stop politicizing everything saying that his scholarship is only for the needy students and not the rich as alleged by his competitors.

“You people send me in the office as the second governor, to go and work and as you can see, I have delivered and I have the receipts for that unlike my competitors, so I want them to come with the receipts not empty talks,” he said

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Crown youth group (CYG), a community-based Organization operating in Bungoma County has launched distribution of sanitary towels exercise in Bungoma schools to improve menstrual hygiene.

Speaking to the to the press in Webuye West Constituency during the distribution of sanitary towels at Milani Secondary school, Samuel Nakitare, Chairman Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child health (RMNCH) said that the move came as a result of high number of teenage pregnancies in schools in Bungoma.

This increased school drop- outs especially during Covid-19 lockdowns.

Crown youth group is a CBO that works under Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child health to ensure that there is increased Antenatal care visits, reduce teenage pregnancy and strengthen weak referral systems in health facilities.

“Bungoma is among the counties that have recorded a high number of teenage pregnancy and our move aims at distributing sanitary towels and educating young girls the importance of menstrual hygiene,” Nakitare said.

The health advocate revealed that the organization held talks with health providers in Bungoma County before taking the initiative of distributing sanitary towels in schools.

“I held discussions with health providers in almost all health facilities to check how pregnant women are attending Antenatal care visits (ANC) that helped me organize this for sanitary towels distribution,” he said.

He urged expectant mothers to visit health facilities for Antennal Care (ANC).

Nakitare assured that the organization will move around the entire county to distribute sanitary towels in Bungoma schools, adding that the organization disbursed 14 boxes of sanitary towels at Milani secondary school.

He also said that Milani Secondary school has so far recorded 10 teenage pregnancies.

Nakitare lauded the government through the ministry of education for distributing sanitary towels in schools.

Kennedy Wanyela, the school principal noted that girls who got pregnant while in school are getting guidance from health providers and will be supported to access education.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail
  • Although the education system was unprepared for the massive changes in learning models, a few months into the pandemic, many learning institutions adapted and leveraged remote and online learning options through the internet, television and radio.
  • Teachers on the other hand developed online academic material while parents taught the exercises and lessons provided by teachers to their children at home.
  • Simply having access to a computer and an Internet connection does not ensure effective distance learning.

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic forced Kenya to close schools in March 2020 as a way of curbing the spread of the novel corona virus.

The country turned to virtual and remote learning.

Although the education system was unprepared for the massive changes in learning models, a few months into the pandemic, many learning institutions adapted and leveraged remote and online learning options through the internet, television and radio.

The digital divide

A report released by Presidential Policy and Strategic Unit in July 2021 which aimed at documenting experiences of adolescents during the pandemic indicated that despite the government’s push to integrate technology in education, Kenya still lags behind in the digital divide.

Teachers on the other hand developed online academic material while parents taught the exercises and lessons provided by teachers to their children at home.

Considering that the use of digital tools in education has dramatically increased during this crisis, and it is set to continue, there is a pressing need to understand the impact of distance learning.

By making the learning process rely more than ever on families, rather than on teachers, and by getting students to work predominantly via digital resources, school closures exacerbate social class academic disparities.

Teachers had to develop online academic materials that could be used at home to ensure educational continuity while ensuring the necessary physical distancing.

Primary and secondary school students suddenly had to work with various kinds of support, which were usually provided online by their teachers.

For college students, lockdown often entailed returning to their hometowns while staying connected with their teachers and classmates via video conferences, email and other digital tools.

Despite the best efforts of educational institutions, parents and teachers to keep all children and students engaged in learning activities, ensuring educational continuity during school closure—something that is difficult for everyone—may pose unique material and psychological challenges for working-class families and students.

Unequal access to digital resources

Although the use of digital technologies is almost ubiquitous in developed nations, there is a digital divide such that some people are more likely than others to be numerically excluding social class is a strong predictor of digital disparities, including the quality of hardware, software and Internet access.

Virtual classes

According to the Presidential Policy and Strategic Unit which on the impact of the pandemic on adolescents in Nairobi, Kisumu, Kilifi and Wajir counties, where students between ages 15 and 19 explained their remote learning experiences, majority of the learners interviewed reported not to have participated in the virtual classes and instead resorted to reading any materials available at home.

“Only one per cent of learners had access to computers during the pandemic, highlighting the significant digital divide in education in the country,” the report noted.

Although some teachers relied on mobile phones to send assignments to students and receive answers as text, the medium was very limited.

Less than a third of students were able to use mobile phones for learning. Some schools and teachers in marginalised areas were completely unable to offer any virtual or digital lessons.

This was evident in Wajir County, where the learners were left to study on their own without any interaction with teachers.

In Nairobi, only 32 per cent of adolescents had access to mobile phones. In Kisumu, there was only 25 per cent, while Kilifi and Wajir recorded the lowest number of learners who had access to materials from schools through phones at 12 and 2 per cent respectively.

Internet and electricity

As the country turned to online and electronic learning as a result of the pandemic, lack of internet penetration and electricity in rural areas worsened the plight of learners in those areas as they attempted to access lessons through radio and television

Social class disparities in digital skills can be explained in part by the fact that children from upper/middle-class families have the opportunity to develop digital skills earlier than working-class families.

Unequal support from schools

Moreover, upper/middle-class parents invest more in the schools of their children than working-class parents, and schools have an interest in catering more for upper/middle-class families than for working-class families.

Additionally, the expectation of teachers may be lower for working-class children e.g, they tend to estimate that working-class students invest less effort in learning than their upper/middle-class counterparts.

These differences in perception may have influenced the behaviour of teachers during school closure, such that teachers in privileged neighbourhoods provided more information to students because they expected more from them in terms of effort and achievement.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

The Ministry of Education has exposed the mistakes that private schools are currently doing ahead of the national examinations. The ministry has said that the schools are registering ghost candidates for the national exams.

It noted that though both public and private schools engage in the practice, private schools are leading with the highest cases.

Nairobi Regional Director of Education, Jared Obiero, while speaking during a meeting with private schools directors and managers on Friday, he revealed that he schools that mostly engage in the practice are those with fewer candidates.

“The schools mostly in Eastleigh and Kamukunji are leading in registering ghost candidates to circumvent the government’s directive on the number of candidates required,” said Obiero.

He said the schools are doing this malpractice after the Ministry of Education asked schools with lead than 30 candidates to merge and form examination centers.

The regional education officer has henceforth directed Sub-County Education Directors to begin investigations right away on the matters and file a report with the ministry.

He asked them to conduct fiscal ad physical audit of the schools’ nominal rolls as well as inspect the learners’ registration details issued by the institutions.

Obiero said that schools found with the malpractice will b e penalized accusing them of defrauding the government and wasting public resources.

He noted that the practice is an examination irregularity and if a school is found, they will write to KNEC for appropriate action.

However, umbrella body, Kenya Private Schools Association have denied Obiero’s claims saying they are unsubstantiated.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail