Grade 9 pupils, who are the pioneers of the Competency-based Curriculum (CBC), are set to undergo the first pilot assessment. The exercise, scheduled from July 15 to 19, 2024, will be conducted by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) and will target 5,875 learners from 235 schools, including both regular curriculum and special needs institutions. Five schools have been selected from each county to participate in this crucial assessment.
Anne Ngatia, the acting director of KNEC, emphasized the diversity of assessment formats that will be employed. “We have a variety of assessment formats. We will have multiple choice, and we will also have short structured questions where learners are expected to write their own responses. We will analyze the results afterward to see how they performed in this item format,” Ngatia explained.
The pilot assessment is designed to prepare students for their final JSS examination next year. It will provide invaluable data on the effectiveness of the CBC and help identify areas that need improvement. The inclusion of multiple choice and short structured questions aims to evaluate different competencies and ensure a comprehensive assessment of the learners’ abilities.
This pilot assessment represents a critical milestone for the CBC, introduced to shift from rote learning to a more skills-based approach. By focusing on competencies, the CBC aims to equip students with practical skills and knowledge that are relevant in the 21st century.
The results of this pilot assessment will be meticulously analyzed to gauge the students’ performance and the curriculum’s overall effectiveness. This will also provide insights into the necessary adjustments to enhance the CBC implementation ahead of the final JSS exam.
As the CBC pioneers prepare for this pilot assessment, stakeholders in the education sector are keenly observing the process and its outcomes. The findings will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the CBC and ensuring that it meets its objectives of fostering a holistic and skills-oriented education system.
The pilot assessment marks a significant step towards the final JSS examination, reinforcing the commitment to refining and perfecting the CBC. It is an essential exercise that will lay the groundwork for future assessments and contribute to the continuous improvement of the education system in Kenya.
