The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has issued a strong warning to schools and education stakeholders against publishing misleading or inaccurate analyses of the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) results. According to the council, some institutions have been presenting results in ways that contradict the principles and official reporting framework of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). KNEC has clarified that the KJSEA assessment system is fundamentally different from the former 8-4-4 examination model, particularly when it comes to grading, ranking, and school performance comparisons.
No Aggregate Scores or School Mean Grades Under KJSEA
Unlike the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), KJSEA does not generate an aggregate score, overall total marks, or a school mean score. KNEC emphasized that CBC assessments are designed to evaluate learners on individual competencies rather than ranking them competitively. Each subject is assessed independently, and learner performance is reported using performance levels, not cumulative marks. This approach ensures that a learner’s strength in a particular subject is recognised on its own merit and is not diminished by weaker performance in another learning area. As a result, KNEC has dismissed school-based rankings and mean score analyses circulating online and in some institutions, terming them misleading and inaccurate.
Misleading Analysis Undermines CBC Principles
The council cautioned that publishing unofficial interpretations of KJSEA results undermines the core objectives of the Competency-Based Curriculum. According to KNEC, CBC focuses on holistic development, skills acquisition, and talent nurturing, rather than academic competition.
Confusion After Release of First KJSEA Results
The Ministry of Education released the 2025 KJSEA and Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) results on Thursday, marking a historic milestone as the first cohort of CBC learners completed junior school. However, the release of the inaugural KJSEA results triggered confusion among parents and learners, particularly regarding the grading system and how performance was measured. In response, KNEC issued detailed clarifications to help the public better understand how the results were generated and reported.
How KJSEA Results Are Graded
KNEC explained that learners were assessed across nine learning areas, with performance reported on a scale of 1 to 8:
- 8 – Exceeding expectations (highest level)
- 1 – Below expectations (lowest level)
Rather than pass or fail outcomes, learners are categorised based on four performance levels:
- Exceeding expectations
- Meeting expectations
- Approaching expectations
- Below expectations
This system allows for a more comprehensive and learner-centred evaluation of achievement.
Maximum Score Explained
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed that each subject carries a maximum of eight points, meaning a learner could attain a possible total of 72 points across the nine assessed subjects. However, the CS stressed that this total is not used for ranking or competition but for placement and guidance purposes. Importantly, all 1,130,459 candidates who sat for the KJSEA will transition to senior school in 2026, ensuring a 100 per cent progression rate.
Senior School Pathways for CBC Learners
According to the Ministry of Education, learners will be placed into one of three senior school pathways based on their strengths, interests, and competencies:
- Arts and Sports Science
- Social Sciences
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
This pathway-based system is a cornerstone of the CBC model, aiming to align education with learners’ talents and future career aspirations.
Structure of the KJSEA Assessment
The KJSEA summative assessment comprised both written examinations and dry practicals or project-based evaluations. While most subjects had a single paper, others such as:
- Languages
- Integrated Science
- Manipulative and practical subjects
had two papers to accommodate composition, practical, or project components.
A Historic Transition for CBC Learners
The CBC was introduced in 2019, with a phased rollout starting in lower primary. The 2025 KJSEA candidates represent the first group of CBC learners set to transition into senior secondary school, with reporting dates scheduled for January 12, 2026.
As Kenya fully embraces CBC, KNEC continues to urge schools, parents, and the public to rely only on official communication and to avoid interpretations that misrepresent the goals and structure of the new education system.
