The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has officially revised the grading system for the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), one of the most significant milestones in Kenya’s education reforms under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). This new grading model is set to play a central role in determining how learners transition to Senior Secondary School, with a sharper focus on competencies, effort, and growth.
For years, parents, learners, and teachers have raised concerns about the rigidity of the 8-4-4 grading system, which largely revolved around memorization and high-stakes testing. The revised KJSEA structure represents a departure from this tradition, introducing eight achievement levels grouped into broader bands to reflect holistic learner performance. This shift aligns with CBC’s core philosophy of nurturing every learner’s potential instead of limiting education outcomes to pass or fail categories.
Breakdown of the New Grading System
The revised KJSEA grading structure has been categorized into four main bands: Exceeding Expectations, Meeting Expectations, Approaching Expectations, and Below Expectations. Each band has achievement levels with corresponding percentages, points, and performance descriptions.
| Band | Achievement Level (AL) | Percentage Range | Points | Performance Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exceeding Expectations | EE1 (AL 8) | 90–100% | 8 | Exceptional performance |
| EE2 (AL 7) | 75–89% | 7 | Very good performance | |
| Meeting Expectations | ME1 (AL 6) | 58–74% | 6 | Good performance |
| ME2 (AL 5) | 41–57% | 5 | Fair performance | |
| Approaching Expectations | AE1 (AL 4) | 31–40% | 4 | Needs improvement |
| AE2 (AL 3) | 21–30% | 3 | Below average performance | |
| Below Expectations | BE1 (AL 2) | 11–20% | 2 | Well below average performance |
| BE2 (AL 1) | 1–10% | 1 | Minimal performance |
This breakdown is designed to capture a wider range of learner performance. Instead of labeling students as failures when they fall short, the system acknowledges their current stage and guides teachers on how to support improvement.
Contribution of KJSEA to Senior Secondary Placement
KJSEA is only one part of the broader placement equation to Senior Secondary School. The final placement will be determined using a blended model that values both continuous and summative assessments.
- KJSEA (final national exam): 60%
- School-Based Assessments (SBA): 20%
- Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA): 20%
This model reduces over-reliance on one-off final exams, spreading performance accountability throughout the learning journey. It ensures that learners who may struggle with exam anxiety but perform consistently during the year through SBAs and KPSEA still have a fair chance at strong placement outcomes.
For context, similar reforms in assessment have been seen in other KNEC processes. For example, in its ongoing modernization efforts, KNEC has introduced measures such as easier ways to recover lost KCSE and KCPE certificates, new timetables for professional exams like 2025 KNEC PTE exams, and tightened rules to end KCSE exam irregularities. These show a consistent reform agenda by KNEC to modernize and improve credibility across all assessment levels.
Why the New Grading Matters
The introduction of the new KJSEA grading system is not just administrative—it has deep implications for learners, teachers, and parents.
- Holistic Assessment: The grading now acknowledges varying levels of achievement. For example, a learner at AE2 (21–30%) is not simply labeled a failure but guided to improve.
- Reduced Exam Pressure: Since KJSEA accounts for only 60% of the placement score, learners have multiple avenues to demonstrate competence through SBAs and KPSEA.
- Parental Guidance: With clear achievement levels, parents can better track their child’s strengths and weaknesses and provide targeted support.
- Fairness Across Schools: Schools in marginalized or rural areas often lack equal resources. The blended assessment model can help bridge gaps by valuing continuous progress instead of just final exam outcomes.
Teachers’ and Parents’ Reactions
Teachers have largely welcomed the new structure, praising its alignment with CBC’s competency goals. Many say it will help reduce the stigma of “failure” and instead motivate learners to improve step by step. However, some teachers have expressed concerns about disparities in how SBAs are administered across schools. Without uniform oversight, inconsistencies could affect fairness.
Parents, on the other hand, are keen to understand how these changes will impact their children’s progression to Senior Secondary School. Questions around reporting formats, clarity of achievement levels, and placement transparency remain central to parental discussions.
KNEC has promised to conduct awareness campaigns and provide sample reports to schools to ensure parents are not left in the dark.
What This Means for Learners
For learners, the new KJSEA grading system changes the rules of the game. Success is no longer pegged only on exam cramming; instead, learners must show consistent growth across different areas.
- Consistency is key: Every test, project, and assessment throughout the year contributes to the bigger picture.
- Multiple chances to shine: Learners strong in practical skills, creativity, or problem-solving can now showcase their talents even if they struggle in traditional written exams.
- Balanced focus: With 40% of placement relying on SBAs and KPSEA, learners are encouraged to value every stage of their learning journey.
Challenges Ahead
While the new grading system is promising, several challenges remain:
- Implementation Gaps: Schools with inadequate facilities or overloaded teachers may struggle to conduct SBAs fairly.
- Teacher Training Needs: More workshops and professional development will be required to ensure teachers understand and apply the grading levels correctly.
- Equity Concerns: Learners in marginalized regions risk being disadvantaged if resources for SBAs are not distributed fairly.
- Data Management: With multiple layers of assessments, KNEC must strengthen its digital systems to prevent errors or loss of learner records.
The Bigger Picture: CBC and Education Transformation
Kenya’s education system is in a historic transition phase. The CBC emphasizes competencies, skills, and holistic development over rote memorization. The KJSEA grading system is therefore not just a technical adjustment but a cultural shift in how education outcomes are valued.
If well implemented, this new model will ease learner anxiety, empower teachers, and assure parents of a fairer system. It also complements other ongoing reforms by KNEC, including digitization of records, flexible certification, and enhanced exam security.
Final Word
The unveiling of the new KJSEA grading system marks a turning point in Kenya’s education landscape. By broadening assessment into eight achievement levels, balancing national exams with continuous assessments, and emphasizing growth over scores, KNEC is aligning with the global best practices in education.
However, its success will depend on effective teacher training, transparent communication with parents, and equitable resource allocation across schools. As the first cohorts of learners go through the revised grading, the system will likely be tested, refined, and improved further.
For now, learners, parents, and teachers must familiarize themselves with the new system because it is set to shape the future of Senior Secondary placement in Kenya for years to come.
