The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have collaborated to create a plan that ensures eight Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates, who are also members of the Kenya U17 Junior Starlets team, can participate in the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup and still take their final secondary school exams.

The FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to take place from October 16 to November 3 in the Dominican Republic. This timing coincides with the KCSE exams, which are set to begin on October 18 and run until November 22.

David Njengere, the CEO of KNEC, has reassured both the candidates and their parents that the conflicting schedules of these two significant events will not adversely affect the students. He explained that KNEC is coordinating with the six affected schools to create a plan that accommodates both the World Cup fixtures and the KCSE exam timetable.

The students involved are:

• Rebecca Odato Orute from Dagoretti Mixed Secondary School
• Velma Awuor and Christine Adhiambo from AIC Nyakach Girls
• Lorine Illavonga and Velma Bwire from Wiyeta Girls
• Quinter Adhiambo from Alara Girls
• Clares Meries from Kobala Secondary School
• Marion Serenge from Archbishop Njenga Secondary School, who had initially considered opting out of the exams.

“The Council will work with the center managers of the affected schools to arrange for the administration of the KCSE papers that coincide with the World Cup fixtures. Additionally, since there will be no national assessments for Grade 8 in October, the Grade 8 student on the team will not be impacted,” said Njengere.

He also encouraged the players to continue preparing for both their exams and the World Cup, emphasizing the importance of balancing their academic and athletic commitments.

KNEC further advised the Ministry of Sports, Youth, and Cultural Arts to ensure that the eight students are promptly returned to their respective schools after completing their participation in the global tournament.

The Junior Starlets, representing Kenya for the first time at this level of international football, have been placed in Pool C, where they will face England, Mexico, and Korea DPR. This historic achievement is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and passion of the State Department for Sports, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), and the entire team.

As David Njengere noted, this moment is a proud reflection of the philosophy championed by Eliud Kipchoge: “No Human is Limited.”

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