Kenya Certificate of Secondary School examinations, KCSE, came to an end this week.
A total of 965,501 candidates sat for KCSE in 10,755 exam centres, while 1,303,913 candidates Participated in the KPSEA across 35,573 centres nationwide.
The administration of these exams involved a total of 246,151 field officers, including 103,125 for KCSE and 143,026 for KPSEA.
The final day of the National exams, led to a fair share of drama for a School in Bomet County, after a Candidate, 'Vanished with a School generator.
The 18-Year-old Form Four boy, had just sat for his Final Physics Paper, before he decided to 'gift himself' for successfully completing his Four Years in the High School. In the Hussle of Teachers clearing student's and others leaving the institution with their belongings, the boy, accompanied by some Friends, rolled out their scheme.
According to a Student in the high school, who spoke to Julisha.Co.Ke on condition of anonymity, the Candidate wanted to get back at the high School, following a Suspension earlier in the year and that he recruited some friend's to help him out, during their final Week of the exams.
Just after their last KCSE Paper, the school's generator room which normally remains unlocked, located close to the fence, was their next stop. With one on the watch out, another helping him out with carrying the Generator and two outside the School on the Fence to take over, the Candidate and his Friend's successfully carried out the 'heist.
It took the institution several hours to realize the generator was missing. A watchman, who had gone to the room to change as he took over the evening shift, made the shocking discovery.
Effort's by the Institution to track down the perpetrators remain futile, with the boy in Bomet probably all set for the holidays, only needing Fuel Incase Kenya Power blackout hits.
In Other News, the government has announced that university studies are set to resume nationwide following a decision to pay lecturers Sh9.7 billion, resolving a long-standing dispute.
Speaking at the 13th Chuka University graduation ceremony in Tharaka Nithi County, Higher Education and Research PS Dr. Beatrice Inyangala confirmed that talks with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) were progressing, with a return-to-work formula expected to be finalised by the weekend.
“We had talks with the union. We have accepted their Sh9.7 billion offer to settle their Collective Bargaining Agreements. A return-to-work formula is currently in discussions, and we hope to finalise the talks by this weekend and have the lecturers return to work immediately,” Dr. Inyangala said.
Despite the ongoing nationwide lecturers’ strike, 18 universities continued to offer lessons and stand by students. Dr. Inyangala commended institutions like Chuka University for maintaining academic programmes during the disruption, ensuring students could progress in their studies.
The lecturers’ national industrial action has posed a significant challenge to universities across the country, disrupting academic programmes and creating uncertainty for students and staff.
The PS highlighted that the new student-centred university funding model, introduced by President William Ruto, aligns with the Kenya Kwanza national development agenda, ensuring better access to higher education.
Chuka University Vice Chancellor Prof. Henry Mutembei also shared the institution’s progress in diversifying its revenue streams, noting that the university had secured over Sh170 million in research funding for the 2023-2024 academic year. He also proudly announced the university's improved Webometrics ranking, climbing from 37th to 24th place.
“I am happy to note our university is on an upward trajectory following the recent university webometrics ranking, where it was ranked at position 24 up from 37 in the previous year. This achievement is attributed to our collective efforts through robust web presence, visibility and transparency, and increased research activities,” he said.
The government’s commitment to resuming university studies and supporting education reform is part of ongoing efforts to improve access to and affordability of education for all.