KCSE 2025 Results: How Parents Can Encourage Students Who Didn’t Perform Well

The release of the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results has brought joy to thousands of families across the country, but for many households, the moment has also arrived with disappointment, anxiety and difficult conversations.

While 270,715 candidates attained a mean grade of C+ and above, qualifying them for direct university entry, hundreds of thousands of students did not meet their expectations or personal targets. For education experts and counsellors, this is the moment when parental support matters most.

“One exam does not define a child”

Education stakeholders are urging parents and guardians to remember that KCSE results, though important, do not determine a young person’s entire future.

“KCSE is a milestone, not a life sentence,” says education counsellor Jane Mwangi. “How parents respond in the days following results can either motivate a child or permanently damage their self-esteem.”

Experts advise against harsh reactions such as public shaming, comparison with siblings or neighbours’ children, or using the results as a measure of a child’s worth.

Listening before advising

One of the most recommended approaches is open communication. Allowing students to express how they feel, whether disappointed, ashamed or confused—can help them process the outcome in a healthy way.

Parents are encouraged to listen first before offering solutions, acknowledging the effort the student made rather than focusing solely on the grade.

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Exploring alternative pathways

With more than 507,000 candidates achieving a C- and above, and over 634,000 attaining a D+, education experts note that there are multiple post-secondary options available beyond traditional university routes.

These include technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, diploma and certificate programmes, entrepreneurship training and skills-based careers that are increasingly in demand.

“Some of the most successful professionals today did not follow the straight university path,” notes career guidance teacher Peter Otieno. “What matters is helping the student find where their strengths truly lie.”

Mental health support is critical

Counsellors warn that the period following the release of national exam results can be emotionally fragile for students, particularly those who feel they have disappointed their families.

Parents are encouraged to watch out for signs of withdrawal, extreme sadness or anxiety, and to seek professional counselling where necessary. Reassurance, structure and patience can go a long way in restoring confidence.

Turning disappointment into a learning moment

Rather than focusing on blame, parents can help students reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and how to approach future opportunities differently. This mindset, experts say, helps young people develop resilience and problem-solving skills.

“Failure handled well becomes a powerful teacher,” says Mwangi. “But failure handled with anger or shame can follow a child for life.”

A future still full of possibilities

As nearly one million candidates move on from secondary school this year, education stakeholders are reminding families that success is not a single road but many intersecting paths.

For students who did not perform as hoped, the message from experts is clear: with encouragement, guidance and belief from parents and guardians, this moment can become the beginning of a new and meaningful chapter, not the end of the journey.