New Grading System Elicit Mixed Reactions Among Stakeholders
A division has arisen among education stakeholders regarding the decision to alter the KCSE grading structure for the remaining classes under the 8-4-4 system. These changes, announced by the Education Cabinet Secretary, will take effect this year.
Under the new system, recommended by the Presidential Working Party for Education Reform, KCSE grading will now depend on two compulsory subjects for determining learners’ final scores: Mathematics and one language (English, Kiswahili, or Kenyan Sign Language), in addition to the best performance in any other five subjects.
Previously, there were five mandatory subjects spread across three cluster groups: Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, two sciences, and one humanity.
However, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has challenged these changes, considering them a hasty response that might confuse candidates more than help them. KUPPET is concerned that this shift may encourage students to opt for easier subjects, potentially jeopardizing STEM-related subjects and courses.
Also Read: What KCSE Grading System Review means For Students
On the contrary, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) supports the grading reforms, highlighting that the rigidity in marking and grading has led to unfilled slots in colleges. KNUT sees these changes as a way to integrate the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) into the 8-4-4 system.
National Parents Association Chairman Silas Obuhatsa believes the changes should have been extended to this year’s KCPE exam. He suggests that candidates should be graded in only three subjects instead of all five.
The Kenya Association of Private Universities, represented by Prof. Stephen Mbugua, believes these changes will enhance access to tertiary education and increase enrollment in institutions, which have faced declining numbers due to changes in university funding models.
Education expert Paul Wanjohi supports the reforms, stating that they align with the goals of the new curriculum in developing each learner’s potential and believes that this model should have been adopted earlier.
New Grading System Elicit Mixed Reactions Among Stakeholders
