A good number of standard three boys perform slightly better in all levels of competency in numeracy, while girls perform better in all levels of literature (English and Kiswahili).
A report by the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) and the Ministry of Education, disclosed only a few standard three pupils in public primary schools can do simple arithmetic.
Dubbed 'National Assessment System for Monitoring Learner Achievement', the report shows only 4.5 per cent of the pupils attained level four competency.
This requires a pupil to use multiple arithmetic operations on whole numbers in a correct order.
''A third of the pupils attained level three competency, and can translate information presented in a sentence into an arithmetic operation. They can also add and subtract simple fractions and interpret simple common measurement units, including days, weeks and shillings,'' said Assumpta Matei, head of Knec Assessment Centre.
Speaking during the launch of the report, Tuesday at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), she noted one-third of standard three pupils can use correct punctuation in English.
About 70 per cent can do similar task in Kiswahili.
"14.9 per cent can arrange words in alphabetical order in English, while only 10 per cent can do so in Kiswahili, which represents the basics in level 1. Majority of the pupils can be grouped into level two, where the focus was on spelling and use of familiar words to complete simple everyday sentences,'' read the report in part.
However, Matei warned that everyone should be concerned about the numeracy and literacy levels of pupils because they show a worrying trend that is on the rise.