Senior Schools Placement to be Done According to Pathways, PS Kipsang
The Kenyan government is conducting a pilot study for the Junior Secondary Education Assessment exam. This initiative aims to develop a comprehensive model to assist teachers in preparing students for the assessment process.
Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS), Dr. Belio Kipsang, emphasized the significance of this assessment.
He explained that it is crucial for tracking students’ progress and understanding their ability to apply the knowledge they have acquired. The assessment moves beyond mere memorization, focusing instead on practical application.
The pilot exam, conducted for Grade 8 students from July 15th to 19th, is already yielding valuable data.
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Dr. Kipsang mentioned that a more comprehensive pilot assessment for Grade 9 students is planned for November. This assessment will serve as a prototype for the actual Grade 9 exam scheduled for November 2025.
The results will guide how students are placed into various educational pathways, such as STEM, sports and creative arts, and social sciences.
Placement Focus in Grade 10
Dr. Kipsang highlighted that the Grade 10 placement will focus on pathways rather than specific schools. Students will choose their educational paths based on their interests and strengths before selecting a school that offers the relevant programs.
“The placement that we shall have in grade 10, the focus will be seeing the child saying where can I get the stem pathway, where can I get sports and creative arts, where will I get social sciences. So, you first look at your pathway before you look at the school because the pathway will lead you to where you will get what you want,” said Dr. Belio.
This approach shifts the focus from school prestige to the availability of desired pathways.
The government has begun constructing Grade 9 classrooms, with the first phase of 3,500 classrooms underway. Dr. Kipsang announced that funds are being disbursed for an additional 7,500 classrooms, totaling 11,000.
The National Treasury is also engaged in a partnership with NG-CDF to fund another 3,400 classrooms, with MPs pledging matching funds, bringing the total to 6,800 additional classrooms.
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Dr. Kipsang confirmed that Grade 9 students will be accommodated in secondary schools. However, he clarified that the government, responding to the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, has decided to retain students in primary schools for their junior secondary education.
This decision aligns with the wishes of 93% of Kenyan parents, who prefer their children to remain in primary schools for closer parental engagement.
Teacher Training and Curriculum Implementation
The PS assured that training for junior school principals is complete, and teachers for senior schools are also undergoing training to prepare for the incoming Junior Secondary School (JSS) students.
Continuous capacity building and teacher retooling are being prioritized to ensure the successful implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which emphasizes child-centered pedagogy over traditional content delivery methods.
Senior Schools Placement to be Done According to Pathways, PS Kipsang
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