Coast Region secondary school heads have been urged to intensify efforts to improve academic performance following slightly worrying results in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.
Speaking on Friday during the Coast Region School Heads Retreat, Regional Education Director Anne Kiilu expressed concern that despite a few schools recording stellar results, the overall performance remained dismal.
Kiilu noted that the region produced only 51 As, yet recorded 4,857 Es, a trend she termed unacceptable.
“The results are not good. We have a whole region with over 500 schools, yet only 51 As. The Es should be fewer, but instead we have thousands,” she said.
She added that the region’s mean score of 3.868 reflected deeper systemic issues, pointing out that many schools contributed to the high number of Es but failed to register any top grades.
Kiilu contrasted Coast’s performance with other regions where some individual schools produced more than 100 As, higher than the entire Coast region combined.
“How can one school post more As than a whole region? Principals should audit themselves and see what could have been done better,” she urged.
The director emphasised the Ministry of Education’s commitment to delivering quality education and urged school heads to stop pointing fingers and instead collaborate on sustainable solutions.
“When we keep blaming others for our weaknesses, we will not get anywhere,” she said.
Kiilu encouraged principals to explore alternative academic pathways and motivate learners to pursue excellence.
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She reminded educators that not all students will be straight-A performers, but each child possesses unique capabilities that can lead them to success.
“Let’s give our children hope because without it, there is no essence of living. We are not all A-material, but the ordinary people are the movers of the economy,” she said, adding that there is enough room for every talent to thrive.
Kiilu urged school heads to read, understand, and effectively implement the Competency-Based Education (CBE) guidelines, saying they are key to improving learning outcomes.
She also asked principals to hold annual meetings with parents to help them understand the CBE approach, noting that many parents are still unfamiliar with the new curriculum.
The director said a significant number of parents continue to compare CBE with the phased-out 8-4-4 system, unaware that the Ministry of Education is focused on strengthening and modernising the curriculum.
“Every time you get a chance, sit and talk to both parents and students about CBE and its goals,” she said.
Region Quality Assurance and Standards Officer Midhamo Joseph echoed Kiilu’s sentiments, emphasising that school heads must intensify efforts to uplift academic standards across the Coast region.
Joseph reminded principals that while implementing the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum is crucial, they must not neglect the current Form Three and Form Four learners.
He urged school leaders to remain fully committed to delivering quality education across all levels.
“As you focus on rolling out CBE, do not forget the candidates who are still in the 8-4-4 system. Our goal is to ensure quality learning for every student,” he said.
By Shaban Omar
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