The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is set to administer the first-ever Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). This national examination will assess learners completing Grade 9, providing a structured transition from junior secondary to senior secondary education.
As Kenya continues to reform its education system, the introduction of KJSEA represents a key step in aligning assessments with the skills-based learning model that the CBC seeks to promote. This development has attracted widespread attention from educators, parents, and policymakers, making it imperative for all stakeholders to understand its purpose, structure, and impact.
KJSEA is designed to evaluate learners based on both summative and formative assessments. Unlike the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), which primarily focus on end-of-cycle examinations, KJSEA incorporates a blended approach that takes into account both continuous assessment and final examinations.
The assessment will contribute 60 per cent of the learners’ final grade, while the remaining 40 per cent will be derived from School-Based Assessments (SBAs) conducted in Grades 7 and 8. This structure is meant to ensure that learners are not only judged based on their performance in a single high-stakes exam but also on their progress and competencies developed over time. This shift aligns with global trends in education assessment, emphasizing a more holistic evaluation of students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
Sample papers
The inaugural KJSEA examination is scheduled to commence on October 27, 2025, and will conclude on November 6, 2025. An estimated 1.1 million learners across the country are expected to sit for the examination. To facilitate adequate preparation, KNEC has released sample papers through the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) portal, which schools can access to familiarize themselves with the expected structure and content of the exam.
These sample papers provide insight into the types of questions that learners should expect, the marking criteria, and the level of competency required. They cover a broad spectrum of subjects, including English, Kiswahili, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Agriculture and Nutrition, Social Studies and Life Skills, Religious Education, and Creative Arts and Sports. The availability of these sample papers serves to standardize preparation efforts across schools and ensures that learners, teachers, and parents have a clear understanding of what the examination entails.
The registration process for the 2025 KJSEA examination will begin on February 17, 2025. Schools have been urged to ensure that all candidates are accurately registered for the subjects they are studying, as there will be no opportunity for corrections once the registration window closes. KNEC has emphasized that any learner registered incorrectly will have to defer their examination to the following year.
This directive underscores the need for meticulous planning by school administrators to prevent any disruptions that could affect students’ transition to senior secondary education. As part of its preparation efforts, KNEC conducted a pilot study in July 2024, involving 235 schools across all 47 counties. The findings from this pilot study have been instrumental in refining the assessment tools and ensuring the examination process runs smoothly.
Develop competencies
The introduction of KJSEA represents a broader effort by the government to enhance quality education by moving away from rote learning and encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical application of knowledge. The CBC framework under which KJSEA falls emphasizes learner-centered education, where students develop competencies that are relevant to real-world challenges.
This approach is intended to prepare learners for diverse career pathways in senior secondary education, which is structured into three distinct tracks: Arts and Sports Science, Social Sciences, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). By assessing students based on their ability to apply knowledge in various contexts, KJSEA aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical skills.
Despite the positive intentions behind KJSEA, its rollout has not been without challenges. Teachers and school administrators have raised concerns about the readiness of institutions to effectively implement the assessment. Infrastructure, resource availability, and teacher training remain key areas that need to be addressed to ensure smooth execution. Additionally, parents and learners have expressed anxiety over the transition process, particularly regarding placement in senior secondary schools. The government, through the Ministry of Education and KNEC, has been engaging stakeholders in ongoing discussions to address these concerns and provide the necessary support.
Training sessions
To ensure that KJSEA achieves its intended objectives, various measures have been put in place. The Ministry of Education has been conducting training sessions for teachers to equip them with the necessary skills for administering the examination. Furthermore, efforts are being made to enhance the digital infrastructure required for effective school-based assessments.
KNEC has also been working closely with school administrators to provide guidance on assessment standards and ensure uniformity in the grading system. These efforts are crucial in maintaining the credibility and reliability of the assessment, as well as in fostering confidence among stakeholders.
As the first KJSEA examination approaches, it is important for learners, teachers, and parents to actively engage in the preparation process. Schools should integrate sample papers into their revision plans, encourage collaborative learning, and provide students with the necessary support to build their confidence.
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Parents should also play an active role by creating conducive home environments for study and reinforcing the value of competency-based learning. Teachers, on the other hand, must adopt innovative teaching methods that align with the CBC principles, ensuring that students are well-equipped to tackle both the school-based and national assessments.
The success of KJSEA will largely depend on how effectively it is implemented and whether it achieves the intended goal of evaluating learners holistically. As Kenya embarks on this new phase of educational assessment, it is crucial that all stakeholders remain committed to upholding the principles of fairness, inclusivity, and excellence.
By fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, KJSEA has the potential to revolutionize the country’s education system and better prepare students for the future. As the national examination draws closer, collaboration among policymakers, educators, students, and parents will be key in ensuring that it becomes a transformative tool for academic and professional development.
Kamomonti wa Kiambati
Kamomonti teaches English and Literature in Gatundu North Sub County.
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