Abstract:
National exams in Kenya have been seen as the bridge to better livelihoods. Passing the exams translates to more
chances of selection to quality schools and professional courses. On contrary, failing these exams is perceived to
render the candidate ‘a community failure’, with little chances of making it in life. The exams therefore carry a lot
of weight in the minds of candidate students. The covid-19 pandemic resulted to indefinite closure of learning
institutions. This closure affected many dynamics responsible for candidates’ performance in their national exams.
A study was hereby conducted aiming to assess how the pandemic had affected candidates’ (class 8 and form 4)
perception towards national exams in Narok county, Kenya. The research used a mixed design involving a casestudy and cross-sectional design of study. Questionnaire guides were used. Descriptive statistics were used to
analyze the findings. The findings indicated that the candidates’ perception of passing in essential subjects were
completely altered. The pandemic had also made the learners to switch their dream professions. The study found
out that there was little online learning activity with numerous excuses for the same. Most of the learners indicated
that their perception on school resumption largely dependent on how the government would contain the pandemic.
In conclusion, the pandemic had significantly ruined how the learners perceived national exams. The authors
recommend all education stakeholders to move with speed in ensuring the candidates are engaged with learning
activities either online or through community-based learning platforms.
Keywords: Class 8 and Form 4 candidates, covid-19 pandemic, perception towards national exams
