Over 1.3 million Grade 6 students across Kenya embarked on the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), a significant part of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) introduced to enhance learning and assessment standards nationwide.
This exam assesses learners’ skills and knowledge in six subjects: Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, Science, Social Studies, and Creative Arts.
The three-day exam sequence began with Mathematics and English, followed by Integrated Science and Kiswahili, and concluding with Creative Arts and Social Studies on Wednesday.
KPSEA, introduced in 2022, represents a departure from traditional assessment methods, with a greater focus on competency and practical skills over memorization.
The exam seeks to ensure students’ readiness for the Junior Secondary School level, aiming to build a more practical and applicable skill set for young learners.
By emphasizing real-world skills and understanding, KPSEA aligns with the CBC’s goal of fostering well-rounded, innovative students prepared for Kenya’s dynamic job market.
During the official launch in Westlands, Nairobi, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos underscored the Ministry of Education’s commitment to a smooth, secure exam process.
This year, he reported that strict measures were implemented to ensure efficiency and security across all centers.
In areas affected by security challenges, like Tana River, exams are being conducted in police stations, with officers providing additional protection to ensure all students have a safe environment to complete their exams.
Additionally, Migos highlighted government efforts to make the exams accessible to all Grade 6 students, including special accommodations for students with disabilities and those in remote areas.
He affirmed that no candidate would be barred from the national exams, stressing the government’s dedication to equitable access to education and fair assessment for every Kenyan child.
This year’s KPSEA is anticipated to set new standards for educational assessments in Kenya, as the CBC aims to reshape the nation’s education system toward a brighter, more inclusive future.
