Sickle cell anemia kills a KCPE candidate.
Sadly, a student in Busia who was getting ready for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams has perished. Following a serious illness at their home in Budalang’i’s Lugale division, the life of this young learner tragically ended.
The student had been suffering from sickle cell anemia, which is characterized by malformed red blood cells that can lead to blockages and decreased blood flow, according to a police report. The 16-year-old made a valiant attempt to take the examinations on Tuesday, but they were admitted to the hospital and, regrettably, did not make a full recovery.
With the final KCPE examinations set for Wednesday, the pupil was just about to complete their elementary schooling, making the news of their passing all the more tragic. The young candidate saw these tests as a significant turning point in their academic career, signaling the start of a new chapter.
More broadly, the approximately 1.4 million applicants registered by the Kenya National Examinations Council began taking the 2023 KCPE exams on Monday. The fact that this cohort of students is the last to take the KCPE under the 8-4-4 curriculum—which has been in place since 1985—makes these tests noteworthy. The Competency-Based Curriculum is taking the role of this curriculum, which has drawn criticism for the extreme pressure it puts on pupils to get good scores.
Sickle cell anemia kills a KCPE candidate
The young student suffers from sickle cell anemia, a hereditary ailment that causes red blood cells to become more rigid and sticky due to their sickle or crescent shape. This anomaly may cause blood flow to slow down or become blocked, leading to a number of health issues. Sadly, most people with sickle cell anemia have no known cure; however, there are therapies that can lessen symptoms and lower the chance of complications.
This regrettable episode serves as a reminder of the difficulties that students have while pursuing an education and the significance of attending to health concerns that may have an influence on their lives, such as sickle cell anemia.
Sickle cell anemia kills a KCPE candidate.
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