In January 2025, Kenya’s pioneer cohort of learners following the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) will officially transition into Grade 9. This shift marks a pivotal moment in their educational journey after completing the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), which was conducted between October 28 and November 1, 2024. The KPSEA, focusing on assessing learners’ competencies across nine learning areas, is a departure from the high-stakes Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), which emphasized exam performance.
The 1,303,913 learners who sat for the KPSEA will now begin Grade 9, the final phase of Junior School. It will not be marked by traditional rankings, as the assessment structure is more holistic. The KPSEA will account for 20% of the overall score, with the remaining marks coming from 20% school-based assessments in Grades 7 and 8, and a final 60% summative evaluation at the end of Grade 9.
Grade 9 will prepare students for their transition to Senior School in 2026, where they will be required to choose from three primary career pathways: Arts and Sports Science, Social Sciences, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). These paths reflect a shift towards equipping learners with specialized skills, aligning with global trends in education and workforce demands.
Under the Arts and Sports Science pathway, students will choose between Music and Dance, Theatre and Film, Fine Arts, or Sports and Recreation and Physical Education. The Social Sciences pathway offers tracks in Languages and Literature or Humanities and Business Studies, while STEM encompasses Pure Science, Applied Science, and Technical Studies, including fields such as Aviation and Building and Construction.
This transition signifies a new chapter in Kenyan education, where students are not just assessed on their academic abilities but are also guided towards specialized career paths. The CBC model aims to nurture well-rounded individuals ready for the dynamic demands of the future workforce, ensuring that Kenya’s learners are equipped for success in both academic and practical realms.
