Kwale: Five Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) candidates in Kwale County are sitting their examination in hospital due to illness. Kwale County Director of Education Ahmed Abdi confirmed the affected three boys and two girls are being closely monitored and that arrangements have been made to ensure they complete their examinations without disruption.
According to Kenya News Agency, the students are under medical care but are continuing with their exams smoothly. Efforts are being made to ensure that all candidates, regardless of their condition, get a fair opportunity to sit their papers. The 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations are proceeding smoothly across Kwale County, with a total of 11,757 candidates sitting for the tests expected to end on November 21.
County education officials have reported that the exams have so far been conducted without any major incidents or cases of irregularities. Notably, no cases of pregnancy have been reported among the candidates this year. The coordination among invigilators, security officers, and supervisors has been praised for maintaining transparency and integrity in the ongoing exams.
Abdi noted that this year’s candidate enrolment increased significantly compared to previous years. This rise is attributed to enhanced community mobilisation, active involvement of local chiefs and education officers, and the support of scholarships and bursaries targeting needy students. The capitation for learners has risen from 30 per cent to 95 per cent since the introduction of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), which has greatly improved accountability and student retention.
Various interventions have motivated learners to remain in school, including Ramadhan food distribution, community-based support, and scholarship opportunities for high-performing students. Community support has provided some learners who had lost hope with a second chance. Even during Ramadhan, students are encouraged with gifts like dates, making a significant difference.
The education director lauded the contribution of women’s groups in promoting girls’ education, highlighting the absence of pregnancy cases among this year’s candidates as a testament to the success of these initiatives. Despite the ongoing heavy rains and floods in some areas, the weather has not disrupted examination activities this year, unlike in the past.
The resilience of schools, particularly Kwale High School, has inspired many learners to stay focused. Education officials revealed that 95 per cent of all enrolled candidates have successfully turned up for the examinations, a marked improvement from previous years. Meanwhile, Abdi urged parents and former students to collect academic certificates from schools to enable them to pursue further education or employment opportunities. Current candidates are encouraged to stay calm and confident as they approach their remaining papers.
