Bureti: A total of 3,428,729 candidates will be sitting for various national assessments and examinations, marking the highest number in Kenya’s history, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has announced.
According to Kenya News Agency, speaking at the Litein District Commissioner’s offices in Bureti, Kericho County, the CS outlined that 1,298,089 candidates would be sitting for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) in 32,843 centers for Grade 6 learners, with exams running from October 27th to 29th. Additionally, 1,130,669 candidates will undertake the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) in the same number of centers for Grade 9, from October 27th to November 3rd.
The CS further detailed that 2,414 candidates would sit for the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) in 391 centers, following the Stage-Based Pathway, from October 27th to 30th. Meanwhile, 1,479 candidates will sit for the Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) in 175 centers, also following the stage-based pathway from October 27th to 30th.
For the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), 996,078 candidates are participating across 10,771 centers. These examinations are already in progress, having commenced with oral exams in languages like French, German, and Arabic, as well as in Kenya Sign Language, Home Science, and Music.
CS Ogamba emphasized the significance of the occasion, stating, “We are gathered here to oversee the opening of the first KNEC examination container; this morning marks the start of the national assessments.” He also noted that the increase in candidate numbers reflects the success of expanding access and inclusivity under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework.
For efficient coordination and security, the collection of examination materials is scheduled at specific times: KPSEA and KJSEA materials at 6:00 am daily, and KCSE materials twice daily, at 7:00 am and 12:30 pm.
This year, the Ministry of Education and KNEC have introduced several innovations and enhanced security measures to uphold exam integrity. The Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) will differ from KPSEA in structure and format, with KPSEA featuring multiple-choice questions and KJSEA combining multiple-choice with structured questions. Each structured question paper is personalized, including the candidate’s name, center, and a unique random number, with measures in place to ensure examiner impartiality.
Further security enhancements include improved markings and color codes on examination materials, alongside the introduction of Smart Digital Padlocks for storage containers, enabling real-time tracking of their status.
During KCSE administration, strict protocols require all personnel at examination centers to surrender mobile phones to prevent unauthorized communication. The National Police Service will oversee security for KCSE, while other assessments will be managed by education officials and school managers.
The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Teachers Service Commission and the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, has implemented comprehensive measures to ensure the secure and fair conduct of all examinations. CS Ogamba extended his gratitude to teachers, security officers, examination officials, parents, and learners for their dedication, urging candidates to remain calm and focused, emphasizing that integrity and hard work lead to success.
He concluded, “Let us all, together, ensure that the 2025 examinations are remembered not only for their scale but for the integrity with which they were conducted and the hope they bring to our nation’s children.”