Analysis of KCSE performance in Nakuru County: a generalized estimating equations approach

Elvis Karanja, University of Nairobi
Nelson Owuor, University of Nairobi

In Kenya, admission to public universities is dependent on the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), whose pass mark is C plus (C+). Using publicly available data from the Kenyan government, we analysed KCSE performance between 2006-2010 in Nakuru county taking into account the school type (boys’ only, girls’ only or mixed-gender schools). Using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE), contrasts between boys in boys’ only versus mixed school; girls in girls’ only versus girls in mixed schools and boys versus girls in mixed school were performed. Results showed a significant impact of a school type in its’ candidates’ probability of excelling. Students in same gender school had a higher success rate than those in mixed schools. Moreover, boys in mixed schools performed better than girls in mixed schools. The information gained from the analysis is vital in guiding education policies and resource allocation.