Diverse Stakeholder Opinion on New Grading System
Following the decision to alter the grading system for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), a rift has developed among those stakeholders in education.
Implementation of the modifications will take place this year, as Ezekiel Machogu, the Education Cabinet Secretary, said on Monday.
The new system, put forth by the Presidential Working Party for Education Reform, will grade the KCSE using two mandatory subjects in order to determine the final grade of the students.
The two required subjects will be Mathematics, one of the three languages (English, Kiswahili, or Kenyan Sign Language), and the five subjects with the best grades.
Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, two sciences, and one humanities were the five disciplines that were previously required in all three cluster groups.
Read also: CS Machogu Unveils New KCSE Grading Framework
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), on the other hand, has disputed the revisions, calling them a hasty response that is more likely to confuse students than to aid them.
According to Kuppet, the modifications will force students to choose the simpler paths, endangering STEM-related courses and topics.
According to Akello Misori, the government is implementing an escape plan that will result in fewer students choosing to major in science.
He contends that the action will encourage students to pursue academic paths that are simpler and will gradually devalue technical courses. Because students will now choose an easier path, this will be bad for the science disciplines.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), has backed the new grading framework.
According to Collins Oyuu, secretary general of Knut, the rigour in the marking and grading of students has led to open spots in colleges.
He argues that the philosophy incorporates the CBC into the 8-4-4 system.
The head of the National Parents Association, Silas Obuhatsa, argues that the modifications an also apply to the KCPE examinations this year.
According to him, the candidates should only receive grades in three of the five subjects.
According to Prof. Stephen Mbugua, the head of the Kenya Association of Private Universities, this will improve access to postsecondary education and boost enrollment at private schools.
He argues that since the implementation of the new university funding model, private universities have no access to students who receive full sponsorship from the government.
Paul Wanjohi, an expert in education, added his voice to the discussion of the reforms and stated that he believes the model should have been adopted years ago since it is consistent with the goals of the new curriculum, which is to maximize each student’s potential.
Diverse Stakeholder Opinion on New Grading System