The 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations saw 26,391 candidates aged 16 years and below sit for the national test, marking a notable increase from 20,546 candidates in 2024.
According to the Ministry of Education, these younger candidates now represent 2.65% of the total 993,226 candidates who sat the examinations, indicating a growing trend of early school progression in Kenya.
The highest percentage of candidates, 716,048 (72.02%), were within the standard age bracket of 17 to 19 years, reflecting the bulk of learners following the traditional schooling timeline.
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Education stakeholders say the rising number of younger candidates could be attributed to improved learning outcomes at the primary level.
The Ministry has also encouraged schools to continue supporting learners across all age groups, ensuring that early starters receive adequate guidance to cope with the national examinations and thrive academically.
By Mercy Kokwon
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