Senator Omtatah disputes sign language grading in KCSE, demands KNEC review

In a letter to the Council, Omtatah opined that KSL was inconsistently excluded from final grade computation for some candidates after the exam without notice or legal basis, violating fairness and inclusivity.

He claimed that he is privy to evidence that grade computations were different between candidates, noting that hearing-impaired candidates had KSL treated as a compulsory language subject alongside English and Kiswahili, while non-hearing-impaired candidates had their KSL grades excluded from the final aggregate computation.

He held that the alteration breached the examination guidelines since KSL is listed as a technical subject under Category 5 under the 8-4-4 curriculum.

Category 5 comprises one of the five groups of elective subjects available at the secondary school level.

The legislator therefore demanded that KNEC supply, within seven days, the total number of candidates nationwide whose 2025 KCSE results were affected by the inconsistent grading of KSL.

He also wants the Council to recall and recompute the results of all affected 2025 KCSE candidates, incorporating KSL scores appropriately as a technical subject for hearing candidates, in line with the subject's categorization and prior practice.

He added: "That an immediate and clear policy directive be issued confirming that for current Form Three and Form Four students, KSL will be graded according to its established categorical placement without discrimination."

He also recommended the suspension of the registration process for the 2026 KCSE examination until the matter is conclusively resolved.

Omtatah has threatened legal action if the demands are not addressed in seven days.