2022 KCSE Results

The paper was generally performed well compared to the previous years. Most students scored above 30.

The speech was what saved most learners. As the test expected the learners to highlight the four issues raised in the question in their speech. Most learners got the 8 marks for that and an average language mark of 4 giving them 12.  On the format, learners scored for the title, introducing themselves, acknowledging those present and ending the speech by saying thanks.

Teachers must however help learners get the elements of a speech title like word speech, event, venue, topic etc.

Learners should also know the order of hierarchy in acknowledgment. Most learners placed the principal in the first position even though it wasn’t raised in the question.

For a text to qualify for w speech , there must be the use of first person perspective, use of contracted forms such as I’m for I am, direct address and audience endearment.

Learners must also write legibly using correct grammar, spelling and punctuations.

This area was fairly performed. Most average learners got over 5.  However, there’s need to teach learners how to write letters like w, p, c, o in lower case and upper case.

Most learners were unable to construct the correct rhyme scheme. Those who constructed also punctuated it using commas which gave them a zero mark. Let learners focus on the last *syllabic sound* not the last sound. No commas should be used. They should then describe the scheme as regular and give its functions such as rhythm and memorability.

On performing a line, it was fairly performed but let learnes give two answers or more each having a verbal and non verbal cue to score full marks.

On the homophones section, candidates only wrote one word yet the question said two words. Let learners follow instructions.

On the stressed syllables, teachers must teach the rules of syllabic stress. It was poorly performed as most learners just guessed. Again they should follow instructions like underlining not using stress markers. Those who used stress markers got zero.

On non verbal cues of attentiveness, students performed fairly. Let learners how ever qualify the cues. Like leaning forward to get the speaker’s message .

The incomplete conversation expected learners to read through it before filling in the blank parts. Learners failed in this area as they didn’t observe etiquette. Most learners addressed the landlady as landlady instead of madam.  This made them lose marks. The conversation expected the use of etiquette, negotiation skills and turn taking cues.

As I conclude, learners must do more revision oral skills as it has proven to be the area that denies students marks. Most students had 16 in speech only to get 10 in oral skills.

Teachers should also consult examiners on the best ways of presenting answers in paper 1.

Report on English Paper 3

1. Question 1a and 1b were all favorite among students but those who chose 1b (how to curb indiscipline in schools performed well. We insist that teachers caution candidates on length and the distortion of the input statement. Many candidates lost marks due to this careless mistake.
2. A Doll’s House was a disaster as many examiners have put it. For the last three years or so, drama has proven a challenge to candidates. They hardly interpret the question ad score and so was last year. Candidates performed poorly on this question because:

(a) They did not read the question to the end. They went ahead and discussed female characters who fight limitations imposed on them by the male counterparts when actually the question was on Nora. Critics argue that the question was too wordy. What’s the way forward? Let’s advice candidates to read the question up to the end

(b) They were unable to single out episodes or instances where Nora resists male domination. They only saw the borrowing of the 250 pounds from Krogstad against the law(forgery) and divorcing of Helmer (the walk out) What’s the way forward? Let’s teach episodes however short they may be.

(c) The marking scheme was too demanding and it required a candidate who has the full mastery of the texts and a call for synthesis and evaluation skills. Most of us concentrated on teaching episodes where characters show sacrifice or resist desperately the restrictions imposed on them by the society forgetting to single out Nora as the major play. KNEC caught us flat-footed. Test predicted such a question in one of its examination series. What’s way forward? Most of us were not aware of the fact that A Doll’s House was exiting shelves and there’s no way a question on Nora or Helmer would not have been examined. These are major characters here. In my talks to most schools, I insisted on this.

3. The short story was popular among national and extra county schools and the performance was average. A few demands were placed on the question which is expected of a short story. However, those who scored thin forgot to tie the unconditional love to the suffering or the agony the family of the mentally sick sister went through as they attempted to unearth her problem. The future is with the short story but A Silent Song may be the next slaughter house for candidates. To play safe, teach Artist of the Floating World and A Parliament of Owls. Don’t say I never warned you

3(b) A very unpopular question for all categories of candidates and the most poorly performed one since the question required candidates to discuss Lacuna Kasoo as the major play as far as corruption is concerned. Those who discussed his cronies got it wrong. Before we teach drama especially that which touches on leadership or governance ethics let’s weigh on the candidate’s perception on the same. Inheritance has never been student’s favorite text so are teachers. The teaching or popularity of drama needs a comeback.

3C. This was the most popular question among students and those who attempted it managed at least a thin. Un-pointed or irrelevant paragraphs was a rare thing here. However, the demands on the marking schemes limited candidates to a thin or a fair. Details of the envy of the different characters and backgrounds information was key.

In parting short, we still insist that teachers encourage candidates to read the tests as many times as possible and emphasize should be on episodes, major and minor. The short story and A Doll’s House question could not be answered minus a good mastery of episodes’ therein.

Schools with the Highest Number of Grade A’s in 2022 KCSE