KNEC Equips Teachers for Upcoming Grade 9 Assessment.
A team of teachers, selected from 235 schools that participated in the KJSEA pilot programme, is addressing the challenges of Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) in preparation for the Grade 9 evaluation next year.
The two-day seminar, organized by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), also aims to align teachers with the new national assessment formula.
Key Objectives of the Seminar
- Identifying Challenges: Teachers are deliberating on the challenges experienced during the pilot phase of KJSEA.
- Feedback Collection: Feedback is being gathered from teachers, school heads, and students through learner questionnaires. These questionnaires assess students’ academic preferences and personality traits.
- Assessment Refinement: The seminar focuses on refining the KJSEA model based on data collected.
Importance of Feedback
Anne Ngatia, KNEC’s Director of Research and Innovation, emphasized that feedback from teachers and headteachers will play a vital role in shaping the final assessment model. This feedback will provide insights into environmental and school-based factors influencing students’ performance.
Purpose of KJSEA
The KJSEA serves as a significant milestone in shaping students’ career paths. Upon completing Grade 9, also known as Junior Secondary School, students will advance to Senior Secondary School (SSS), where they will select their career pathways.
| Assessment Types | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Formative Assessment | Tracks progress through school-based evaluations. |
| Summative Assessment (KJSEA) | Reports on overall progress and guides students in selecting career pathways. |
Ngatia highlighted that KJSEA is a tool designed to identify learners’ potential, aligning them with pathways that suit their interests and skills.
Aligning Education with Learner Strengths
As part of a broader education reform, KNEC is conducting a study on students’ interests and preferences. This study will guide career pathway decisions as students transition to SSS, ensuring the education system aligns with learners’ strengths, skills, and aspirations.
Transition from KCPE to KJSEA
Replacing the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), the KJSEA offers a more comprehensive evaluation of academic abilities.
David Njengere, KNEC’s Chief Executive Officer, explained that the goal is to move away from high-stakes exams to a competency-based evaluation system. This holistic approach assesses students’ learning progress and readiness for further studies.
| Key Differences: KCPE vs KJSEA | KCPE | KJSEA |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | High-stakes examinations | Competency-based learning progress |
| Purpose | Placement into secondary school | Career guidance and pathway selection |
Insights from the Pilot Programme
In July 2024, KNEC piloted the KJSEA with 5,875 students from 235 schools across Kenya. Students were tested in nine subjects, including English, Kiswahili, Mathematics, Integrated Science, and Pre-Technical Studies.
The data collected is now being used to improve the KJSEA for its final rollout next year.
Additionally, the pilot introduced separate assessments for students with special needs. Learners with severe disabilities will undertake the Kenya Prevocational Learning Education Assessment (KPLEA), which focuses on practical life skills rather than traditional academics.
Moving Forward
KNEC aims to ensure that the final KJSEA rollout is seamless. The assessment will act as a foundation for guiding students’ placement in senior secondary schools while helping them discover career paths aligned with their interests and talents.
KNEC Equips Teachers for Upcoming Grade 9 Assessment.
