New National Exam System to Be Introduced

The government is planning to introduce another system of examination in line with the new 2-6-3-3 curriculum.

The Ministry of Education’s plan to restructure KNEC is outlined in a policy paper that will be tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday when the house resumes.

This proposal states that the exam council will adopt assessment of students based on development, creativity, entrepreneurial minds and self-reliance.Education CS Amina Mohamed with exam officials at a collection centre during the administration of 2018 KCSE.

Student assessment will also be based on competencies and transferrable skills rather than solely relying on exams.

The ministry decried that the system that is currently in place does not adequately measure learners’ abilities.

“The current system of summative assessment at the end of the various cycles, together with the limited availability of student places at secondary and higher education level dictates the teaching /learning process towards examinations as opposed to assessment of the attainment of skills and competencies,” the document reads.

The exam council will also track the performance of all students throughout their education using the National Education Management Information System that is already in place.

In January, the government rolled out the new 2-6-3-3 curriculum countrywide.

Under the new curriculum, Grade One to Nine will mean primary school and Grade 10 to 12 will mean secondary learning.

In December, Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed had postponed the full implementation of the new curriculum to 2020 from the earlier schedule of 2019 before rescinding the decision.Education CS Amina Mohamed presents 2018 KCSE results to President Uhuru Kenyatta.