Tag Archives: 2019 KCSE exams results

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The insensitive KNEC; This is why teachers are furious with the Council over Exams administration

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A section of teachers has been angered by the decision to use a hazardous chemical as one of the reagents during this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, KCSE, exams. Teachers Manning the Chemistry practical exam castigated the Kenya National Examinations Council, KNEC, for exposing them and candidates to Xylene; a known, poisonous, organic compound. After the Chemistry Practical that was done on Friday November 8, 2019 the teachers could not hide their anger; pouring to social media to condemn the council.

“Ifikie KNEC and TSC ( To KNEC and the Teachers Service Commission; TSC)

Xylene is carcinogenic and very harzadous☢♨🚯🚹🚺

I’m sure most of us here today (on Friday) witnessed the grave danger Chemistry teachers were exposed to during the KCSE Chemistry practical, Kuppet as our voice should not let this opportunity pass, use it to the advantage of science teachers,” wrote one teacher.

Principals have also raised concerns over the inflated cost of the chemical. “I spent close to Sh30,000 on this reagent (Xylene), alone. A litre was trading at Sh10,000 and given that I have 300 candidates (and each candidate required 10ml of the chemical) the school had to buy 3 Litres. What is so special with this reagent!” Wondered a school principal who sought for anonymity.

Of irritating to the Science teachers is also the failure by KNEC to recognize their supportive role in administration of the exams. Whereas other Professionals who are involved in exam administration are remunerated, teachers thronging the exam centres to prepare the exams walk home empty handed. “The Biology practical is slated for this coming Friday. I will spend a cool Sh3,000 to school and back home,” complained one teacher; involved in administration of the KCSE exams.

Back to Xylene

The hazards of xylene are well documented. Breathing xylene vapors in small amounts can cause headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. With more serious exposure, xylene can cause sleepiness, stumbling, irregular heartbeat, fainting, or even death. Xylene vapors are mildly irritating to the skin, eyes, and lungs.

The nervous system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and kidneys are primarily affected by exposure to xylene. Effects due to exposure to Xylene include:

  • Labored Breathing
  • Impaired Pulmonary Function
  • Increased Heart Palpitation
  • Severe Chest Pain
  • Accumulation of Fluid in Lungs
  • Respiratory Depression or Arrest
  • Ventricular Arrhythmias

Symptoms of Xylene exposure include:

  • Eye Irritation
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Tremors
  • Incoordination
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach Discomfort
  • Impaired Short-term Memory
  • Impaired Reaction Time
  • Alterations in Equilibrium
  • Anxiety
  • Inability to Concentrate
  • Lack of Muscle Coordination
  • Death
  • Coma
  • Impaired Vision
  • Paralysis
  • Skin Irritation

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Breaking News

KCSE 2019 results out today

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All is set for the release of the results for the 2019 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, KCSE, exams. Reports indicate the results will be released on Wednesday December 18, 2019 at the Knec offices- Denis Pritt Road in Nairobi. Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha is expected to announce the results, whose marking was completed last week.

This year’s results would come three days earlier than last year, whose results were announced on Friday December 21, 2019.

As was the case last year, during the KCSE results’ releasing ceremony, the CS is expected to give the names of the most improved students and list of top candidates in the 2019 exams. The CS will also give a breakdown of the candidates per grade.

Other details that may be given by the CS include: An analysis of the candidates who sat the exams (in terms of gender and age among others) and performance in the subjects.

A total of 699,745 candidates sat for this year’s KCSE examinations.
In the year 2015, 937,467pupils sat for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, KCPE, examinations. Out of this number, only 699,745 have done their KCSE exams in 2019, meaning 237,722 learners were lost somewhere along the way.

Exam Malpractice

Of recent, Biology has been one of the subjects that has given candidates nightmares, if performance in the subject is something to go by.

Focus will also be on the cases of exam irregularities. Last year, 2018, the Kenya National Examination Council, KNEC, was forced to cancell results for 3,427 candidates who were involved in exam malpractices.

Among counties that were adversely reported to have engaged in exam malpractice were; West Pokot, Kericho, Machakos, Kisii, Narok, Elgeyo Marakwet, Bungoma, Kisumu, Isiolo, Turkana, Mandera, Garissa and Mandera.

The council had found glaring collusion among affected candidates including identical errors in calculation, correct responses after incorrect working, identical choice of words, similar correction by a group of candidates.

The candidates had similar values to those of their teachers in practical exams, a group of candidates had identical readings in practical exams and others copied values directly from textbooks.

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