KPSEA Results out Today on January 16, 2023; Stay Tuned for the Live Release and Timely Updates

KPSEA Results Release; The long wait for over 1.2 million grade six learners who sat for KPSEA Examinations is finally over.

This is simply because the long awaited KPSEA results release date that had been set on January 16, 2023 is here.

Although Education CS Ezekiel Machogu had earlier directed that KPSEA will not be used for placement of grade six learners in secondary schools, anxiety still reigns Supreme owing to the new guidelines for joining Junior Secondary School.

One of the key factors giving KPSEA parents butterflies is the fact that Junior Secondary School will be run as a different wing from the regular secondary and primary schools.

Already the Teachers Service Commission has hired and deployed teachers that will handle the grade six KPSEA candidates once they transition to Junior secondary school come January 30.

Transition from one academic level to another attracts unprecedented cost, school uniform and other basic requirements included.

The CBC task force had come up with nine major recommendations to ensure effective implementation of the new Competency-Based Curriculum in Kenya. Below is a detailed explanation of the recommendations.

Final Recommendations for the CBC Presidential Working Party on Education Reform in Kenya

This is a memorandum on recommendations for Education Reform in Kenya as submitted to the Presidential Working Party On Education Reform In Kenya, that was appointed by His Excellency the President of Kenya, through a Gazette Notice No.11920 of 29th September 2022. The memorandum is submitted by the following:

Emily Nyabisi – Lecturer, Mount Kenya University / Campus Director, Mount KenyaUniversity, Nakuru Campus
Email – enyabisi@mku.ac.ke; Phone – 0722637107
Joseph Yongo – Master of Education Student, Mount Kenya University / Deputy Headteacher,Tanga Primary School, Siaya
Email- josephyongo036@gmail.com; Phone – 0727884772
Achuka Martin Ekomwa – Master of Education Student, Mount Kenya University / Headteacher,St. John’s Lokichoggio Primary School, Turkana
Email – achuka210@gmail.com; Phone – 0714945236
Moses W.M. Wabwire – Master of Education Student, Mount Kenya University / Principal, St.Patrick’s Secondary School, Makunga, Trans- Nzoia
Email – mmwabwire@gmail.com; Phone – 0720954014
This joint submission / memorandum is well researched and the recommendations given will be of benefit to the implementation of the envisaged reforms in education in Kenya

Recommendations on the Appropriate Structure to Implement Competency Based Curriculum (CBC)

The CBC aims at the nurturing of individual talents and skills, promotion of ethical principles and national values; as well as emphasizing the role of technology in learning. The current structure for CBC is 2-6-3-3-3.

The following recommendations are hereby made in reference to the structure for implementing CBC:

(1).The Taskforce has recommended 2-6-2-4-3 to replace the initial 2-6-3-3-3 system of education.

That is:

Pre Primary/ECDE – 2yrs (5-6 yr olds)
Primary School – 6 years (7 – 12 yr Olds) Grade 1 – 6.
Junior Secondary School (JSS) – 2 years (13 – 14 yr olds) Grade 7&8.
Senior Secondary School (SSS) – 4 years ( 15 – 18 olds) Grade 9 – 12.
Tertiary/University – 3 years (Min of 3 years depending on the program.
2. Junior Secondary School be domiciled in the existing primary schools for the following reasons;

Learners transiting to JSS are too young.
Older students in current secondary schools may bully these students due to the wide age gap.
Ensuring full utilization of existing structures in primary schools.
Primary School teachers are aware, competent in handling the needs of these young learners than their counterparts in secondary schools who are conditioned to attend to more self reliant learners.
3. Adequate resources and facilities are paramount for the success of CBC. The Ministry of Education should construct sufficient class rooms and provide the required resources for implementation of CBC in both primary and secondary schools

4. Summative evaluation by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) at the end of the base phase of CBC (Primary school level) be retained to determine placement into the various pathways at the next level.

4. Summative evaluation by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) at the end of the base phase of CBC (Primary school level) be retained to determine placement into the various pathways at the next level

5. That the Ministry of Education to initiate a mechanism for systematic pre-service and in- service training for all teachers handing CBC classes. Therefore, CBC content should be initiated in all teacher training institutions. The in-service training programs should be domiciled in all regions to ensure that all schools have CBC trained teachers

6. More teachers to be trained and employed to achieve the 14 international best practices and the UNESCO recommendation of teacher: student ratio of 1:40 to facilitate learning using CBC

7. The recruitment, employment, staffing, placement and remuneration of Pre-Primary / ECDE teachers should be done by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), just like other teachers in primary and secondary schools. This will highly motivate the teachers at this level since their remuneration will be the same depending on their qualifications. TSC will also be able to keep watch, assess and evaluate the service delivery of these teachers

8. Internet connectivity to be provided to all institutions in Kenya in order to enhance digital learning, downloading and uploading of learning materials and learning process facilitation. This therefore means that fully equipped computer laboratories should be established in all basic learning institutions; including those in Arid & Semi-Arid (ASAL) areas

9. The Ministry of Education to commission qualified personnel to conduct an end-term evaluation of the 8-4-4 system of education; and present their findings before the 8-4-4 system ends and there is full implementation of CBC. This will prevent the CBC going through similar challenges experienced with 8-4-4 system of education

Recommendations on Governance of the Basic Education Subsector

Effective governance is essential to promote a more cohesive and collaborative culture in all institutions of learning; and can greatly enhance the realization of the goals of education. Given the importance of Education as a tool for socio-economic development, the Education sector requires sound governance at all levels; and all individuals and governing bodies must be aware of, and practice, the principles of good governance.

The following recommendations are hereby made in reference to governance of the Basic Education Subsector

1. The appointment of the members of Boards of Management (BOM) for Basic Education institutions should be based on relevant qualifications by these members to serve the BOM

2. Members of the BOM should undergo mandatory capacity building / training; especially in leadership and governance

3. Members of the BOM should only serve for 2 terms and give way to the appointment of new members to serve