This week marked the commencement of KCSE examinations across Kenya. 449,246 candidates registered for this year’s exams. This is a very rigorous exam that determines entry into university. Ideally, majority of the candidates are between the age of 16-18, but there is a new crop of adult students that is emerging.

In 2004, Kimani Maruge entered the world Guinness records as the world’s oldest student to join primary school at the age of 88. As if that was not enough, he was elected the head boy of his Kapkenduiywo school, Eldoret. Maruge succumbed to stomach cancer at Cheshire home for the aged, Nairobi in 2009, barely before achieving his dreams.

Maruge’s story motivated many adults to get back to the wheels of education. It is said that age is just but a number, this is true for 78 year old Rufinus arap Taa of Korabariet secondary school in Kuresoi North, Nakuru. The grand father is among the thousands of candidates sitting the on going KCSE examinations. Despite his age, he has undertaken four years of intense training and hopes to wrap it up in the next two weeks. He is hopeful to join university to study medicine and thanks his teachers for the  unwavering support.

A 50-year old inmate at Naivasha prison is among 17 prisoners  sitting their exams in jail. John Kimani Ngecha dropped out school in 1980 for lack of school fees. He turned into a violent robber that landed him behind bars. He decries the poor conditions at prison that makes revision for exams an uphill task.

Renowned gospel artist Willy Paul is also in the quest to accomplish the dream of clearing secondary education. He promises his fans that he will not be a let down in the continuing KCSE examinations. His Sitolia fame put him in the limelight in Kenya and East Africa and earned him and counterpart Gloria Muliro a Groove award, 2013.

All the best to all the adult students for re-dedication to education. Surely, learning has no boundaries, it cuts across all age groups.

By Timothy Keter, Impact Study Lead, Eneza Education

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