KNEC to Use KJSEA Scores and Student Interests for Kenya's Senior School Placements

The end of this year will see Grade 9 learners transition into Senior School, encompassing Grades 10 to 12.

This marks the final phase of basic education under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which was introduced in January 2017 as a replacement for the long-standing 8-4-4 curriculum. Central to this transition is the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA), a national examination scheduled for November. Administered by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), the KJSEA will be the inaugural assessment at the Junior School level under the CBC.

This exam will contribute 60 percent toward students' final marks, with school-based assessments accounting for the remaining 40 percent. Following the KJSEA, students will be placed in various Senior Schools based on their preferred career pathways. In contrast to the Junior schools (Grades 7-9), which were integrated within primary education, Senior Schools will reorganize into four tiers: national schools, extra county schools, county schools, and sub-county schools.

The CBC aims to de-emphasize this categorization, shifting focus to three distinct career pathways: Arts and Sports Science, Science, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM), and Social Science. Each pathway is defined by specific tracks or subject combinations, known as learning areas within the CBC framework. The Arts and Sports Science pathway includes Performing Arts, Sports, and Visual Arts.

STEM encompasses Pure Science, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering, and Career Technology Studies (CTS). The Social Science pathway consists of Humanities, Business Studies, and Language and Literature. The placement of learners will depend on their KJSEA outcomes, aligning with the requirements of their selected career pathways. Furthermore, factors such as school capacity in staffing and infrastructure will play a significant role.

National schools, equipped with extensive resources, are expected to cater to students from all three pathways, while some extra county schools may only support two pathways due to constraints. In addition to performance assessments, KNEC will distribute questionnaires aimed at understanding learners' interests and personalities, which will help identify their strengths. This initiative seeks to ensure that students with special talents in areas such as sports or sciences are placed in institutions capable of fostering their development.

Several factors will influence school placement, including proximity to the learners' homes, availability of openings, and considerations for equality and inclusivity. The CBC promotes localized schooling, thus reducing the need for prolonged travel. As a result, regions with a higher number of schools stand to benefit from increased availability of slots. Moreover, the CBC eliminates gender-based distinctions in school placement, allowing learners to be assigned to schools that align with their chosen career pathways, irrespective of gender.

Regional balance and geographical location will also play essential roles in the placement process, promoting equitable access to educational opportunities. This transition signifies a substantial shift from the 8-4-4 system, with the CBC poised to deliver a more customized and inclusive educational experience that addresses the diverse needs and aspirations of Kenyan learners.