The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has revised the schedule for the Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) teachers’ pilot study, impacting the administration and scoring of Grade 9 exams. Initially set for early July, the pilot study will now take place later in the month, according to a memo from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
In the memo dated June 28, 2024, and addressed to Sub-County Directors, TSC outlined the new dates for administering the pilot tools for the Grade 9 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Prevocational Level Education (KPLEA) summative assessments. The revised schedule sets the new administration period for July 15-19, 2024, moving from the original dates of July 1-5, 2024.
This change necessitates adjustments for all involved, including the invigilators and examiners who were prepared for the initial dates. TSC emphasized the importance of adhering to the new schedule in their memo, stating, “The purpose of this letter is to request you to take note of the revised dates for your necessary action.”
Following the administration of the pilot tools, the scoring process is now scheduled to take place from August 2-13, 2024. This phase is crucial as it will provide insights into the effectiveness of the new assessment tools and help refine them before the full implementation.
The current cohort of Grade 9 students is being prepared to take the exams next year. Upon successful completion, they will transition to Grade 10 in Senior Schools in 2026 under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). This curriculum aims to provide students with a more specialized education, offering three distinct pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Social Sciences (humanities); and Performing Arts, Music, and Athletics.
The government’s emphasis on specialization in the curriculum is intended to better equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for their future careers. By allowing students to choose from these pathways, the CBC aims to foster a more personalized and effective learning experience, catering to individual strengths and interests.
The rescheduling of the JSS teachers’ pilot study marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to improve Kenya’s education system. As stakeholders adjust to the new dates, the focus remains on ensuring that the assessment tools are robust and capable of accurately evaluating student performance. The changes underscore the dynamic nature of educational planning and the importance of flexibility in achieving long-term goals.
