The Ministry of Education has now outlined the full grading structure and placement criteria, confirming details that were first highlighted in earlier education reports.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba released the results and gave a comprehensive explanation of how the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) assessments are structured.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba released the results and gave a comprehensive explanation of how the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) assessments are structured.
Speaking at Mtihani House in Nairobi, he emphasized that the KJSEA is designed to evaluate learners based on their performance abilities, not traditional marks alone.
Under the CBC system, pupils are assessed using four broad achievement levels: exceeding expectation, meeting expectation, approaching expectation and below expectation.
Under the CBC system, pupils are assessed using four broad achievement levels: exceeding expectation, meeting expectation, approaching expectation and below expectation.
These categories reflect the learner’s understanding and ability to demonstrate skills in real-life situations.
To make the evaluation more precise, the KJSEA team expanded these four categories into eight performance points.
To make the evaluation more precise, the KJSEA team expanded these four categories into eight performance points.
Here, point 8 represents the highest level of performance while point 1 represents the lowest. The ministry said this approach helps distinguish top achievers from learners who are still building competency.
CS Ogamba explained that this structure ensures fairness to both high performers and students who excel in practical, skill-based tasks.
CS Ogamba explained that this structure ensures fairness to both high performers and students who excel in practical, skill-based tasks.
According to him, the new grading format reflects the CBC’s aim of nurturing learners’ abilities rather than ranking them through exam pressure.
According to data released by the ministry, seven out of the twelve KJSEA subjects recorded strong overall performance.
According to data released by the ministry, seven out of the twelve KJSEA subjects recorded strong overall performance.
Hindu Religious Education posted the highest achievement with 84 percent of learners meeting or surpassing expectations.
Integrated Science, Social Studies, Creative Arts and Sports, Kiswahili, Christian Religious Education and Agriculture also showed impressive results.
Education officials say this trend demonstrates that students are adapting well to the CBC’s practical, hands-on learning model, especially in areas requiring creativity, observation, and communication skills.
Education officials say this trend demonstrates that students are adapting well to the CBC’s practical, hands-on learning model, especially in areas requiring creativity, observation, and communication skills.
How Placement to Senior School Will Work
The Ministry of Education has also broken down how Grade 9 learners will be placed into senior school pathways starting next year. The final placement will combine three assessments:
20% from KPSEA (taken in Grade 6)
20% from school-based assessments in Grades 7 and 8
60% from the final KJSEA Grade 9 exam
Ogamba noted that the approach offers a wholesome evaluation of each learner’s growth through the middle school years.
The heavy weight given to the KJSEA is meant to ensure students demonstrate readiness for senior school subjects.
The CS assured parents that even learners who score in the “approaching expectation” band would still qualify to join senior school, especially pathways that rely on fundamental competencies.
The CS assured parents that even learners who score in the “approaching expectation” band would still qualify to join senior school, especially pathways that rely on fundamental competencies.
He clarified that the CBC is designed to support every learner, not to push them out of the system due to one test.
Officials also emphasized that senior school placement will continue to consider equity and balanced distribution across national, extra-county, county and sub-county institutions.
Officials also emphasized that senior school placement will continue to consider equity and balanced distribution across national, extra-county, county and sub-county institutions.
What the Numbers Mean for Learners and Parents
Education experts say the 8-point performance scale will help reduce anxiety among learners while enabling teachers to identify strengths and gaps more accurately.
Education experts say the 8-point performance scale will help reduce anxiety among learners while enabling teachers to identify strengths and gaps more accurately.
It is also expected to reduce extreme competition and keep the CBC aligned with global standards.
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