How new KCSE Grading System will see more Students Join Varsities
Students taking the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams will benefit from a new grading approach, focusing on their strengths and reducing mandatory subjects. This change is expected to lead to higher overall scores and increased eligibility for post-secondary education. The potential advantages of these reforms could become apparent as early as this year.
Under the new system, students will be assessed based on their performance in mathematics, English or Kiswahili, and five other top-performing subjects. This contrasts with the current method of grading students across seven subjects, including English, Kiswahili, math, and two sciences.
The adjustment is part of the recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER). The rationale behind this shift is to address the current system’s bias against students whose strongest subjects fall outside a specific cluster.
The Ministry of Education has been given a year to develop guidelines for implementing the new KCSE grading system. The report from the PWPER emphasizes that English and Kiswahili assess literacy levels, while math and sciences evaluate numerical skills.
Over time, the number of candidates achieving distinction (a mean grade of A or A-) has decreased, which has raised concerns about inefficiency. The Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) suggests that the proportion of candidates obtaining distinctions was higher before the introduction of the 8-4-4 education system.
The rigid nature of the current grading system is believed to contribute to the pressure associated with KCSE exams and even exam malpractice. Consequently, the PWPER’s recommendation to reconsider the grading system is being explored.
This adjustment in the grading system could potentially enhance the percentage of candidates with higher grades, making them more likely to qualify for university or college admission. It could also revitalize Module II programs designed to accommodate students who don’t secure government placement and funding.
Education stakeholders are emphasizing the importance of integrity in exam administration and grading to ensure accurate assessments of students’ abilities. The 2022 KCSE exams recorded a quality pass rate of 19.62%, lower compared to neighboring countries.
If implemented successfully, this new grading approach could have a positive impact on students’ educational paths and create a fairer system that considers their strengths and weaknesses.
How new KCSE Grading System will see more Students Join Varsities
