The Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) marks a major shift in Kenya’s education system, moving away from the traditional exam-centered model to one that values continuous learning and holistic assessment. The KJSEA, which began on October 27, 2025, and runs until November 6, assesses Grade 9 learners across nine subjects, but unlike previous national examinations, no certificates will be issued at the end.
This decision has sparked curiosity and concern among parents and learners who are used to receiving certificates after major national exams such as KCPE or KCSE. However, education experts have clarified that the KJSEA is not a final, summative examination. Instead, it serves as part of a continuous evaluation process that monitors a learner’s progress throughout junior school.
According to education consultant Sifuna Otoa, the KJSEA contributes only 40 percent of the final score, while the remaining 60 percent comes from classroom-based assessments and projects completed over the three years of junior school. The aim is to measure the learner’s ability to apply knowledge, skills, and values rather than memorizing facts for a one-time test.
The new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) emphasizes that learning should be a journey, not a competition. Instead of certificates, learners will receive performance reports indicating how well they have met set expectations. The grading will use terms like “Approaching Expectations,” “Meeting Expectations,” and “Exceeding Expectations”—phrases that focus on growth and improvement rather than ranking students by marks.
Education experts believe this system will help reduce exam-related pressure among learners and encourage creativity, problem-solving, and practical application of skills. It also promotes fairness, since students are evaluated on both classroom work and the national assessment, not just one final exam.
While some parents have expressed disappointment over the lack of a certificate, the Ministry of Education insists that the KJSEA is meant to act as a checkpoint, not a final destination. It simply assesses how well students have grasped junior school content before transitioning to senior school, where more specialized learning awaits.
The nine learning areas covered in KJSEA include English, Kiswahili, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Social Studies, Religious Education (Christian, Islamic, or Hindu), Agriculture, Pre-Technical Studies, Creative Arts and Sports, and Kenyan Sign Language for learners with hearing impairments.
The move signals a broader educational reform where learners’ strengths, interests, and abilities take center stage. Instead of a single piece of paper defining their success, students will carry forward the skills and knowledge they have built throughout junior school.
In summary, while Grade 9 learners may not walk away with certificates this year, they will carry something much more valuable—competence, confidence, and readiness for the next phase of learning under the CBC system. Kenya’s education system is, therefore, taking a bold step towards nurturing thinkers and innovators rather than crammers chasing exam grades.