Analysis of the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results shows persistent gender gaps, with boys continuing to outperform girls in STEM and technical subjects, while girls dominate languages, arts, and humanities.
Female candidates posted better mean scores in English, Kiswahili, Kenyan Sign Language, Home Science, Christian Religious Education (CRE), and Art & Design, highlighting their strength in creative and language-based subjects.
In contrast, male candidates outperformed females in eleven subjects, including Mathematics (Alternatives A and B), Biology, Chemistry, General Science, History and Government, Geography, Islamic Religious Education (IRE), Business Studies, and Building & Construction, demonstrating continued male dominance in STEM and technical disciplines.
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Performance between genders was comparable in Physics, Agriculture, Computer Studies, French, German, Arabic, and Music, indicating balanced outcomes in these subjects.
Some technical subjects recorded very low female enrolment, including Metalwork, Power Mechanics, Electricity, Drawing & Design, and Aviation Technology, making meaningful comparisons impossible.
These patterns reflect broader trends in subject choice and societal expectations, with girls gravitating towards languages and arts, and boys leaning toward sciences and technical courses.
By Mercy Kokwon
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