KCPE Exam: The End of 8-4-4 Era.
After nearly four decades, the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination, a defining hallmark of the country’s education system, will come to an end. On Monday, approximately 1,415,315 students will undertake the national examinations, signifying the end of the fierce competition for top grades that has characterized Kenyan education since 1985.
This three-day examination marathon will conclude on Wednesday, November 1. The KCPE will run in tandem with the new Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) for the second consecutive year. KPSEA, operating within the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC),focuses on Grade 6 pupils. This year, 1,282,574 candidates will participate, bringing the total number of examinees over the 38-year history to 24,906,837.
The 2023 KCPE exam marks the 39th installment, marking the termination of the KCPE itself and the 8-4-4 era at the primary school level. This pivotal event ushers a significant transition to the 2-6-3-3-3 system under CBC.
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CBC has introduced significant changes in evaluating learners, with Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) in Grades 4, 5, and 6 determining the final primary school grade. However, unlike the KCPE, these scores will not dictate secondary school placement. Instead, teachers will use them as a reference to gauge learners’ academic progress during their primary years.
In Grade 9, learners will undergo evaluations to determine their placement in senior secondary school. Another assessment at the end of Grade 12 will guide their choices for tertiary education.
The transition from 8-4-4 to the CBC system is a response to the race for higher grades that led to shortcuts such as accessing or purchasing exam papers. These unethical practices compelled the government to enhance examination security, including printing the exams abroad, a practice criticized as costly. It also necessitated the substantial involvement of security personnel, rigorous monitoring, and daily allowances for administrators to prevent cheating.
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Dr. David Njengere, Chief Executive of the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), emphasized the readiness to conduct the exams securely. He assured the public that the exams are safeguarded, refuting any claims of premature paper access. Speaking during an exam rehearsal at Athi River Primary School, Njengere underscored the council’s preparedness. A multi-agency team will be dispatched to all exam centers to handle unexpected situations during the nationwide examination.
Njengere also revealed that the Ministries of Education, Information & Communication Technology, and Interior would jointly oversee the examination to ensure security and smooth conduct.
The KCPE examination, first introduced in 1985, marked the initiation of the 8-4-4 education system, a transformational shift inspired by the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on the Establishment of the Second University in Kenya. This move revolutionized the educational landscape, shifting from a 7-4-2-3 system to the current 8-4-4 structure. As the KCPE era ends, Kenya is on the precipice of an educational transformation emphasizing competencies and holistic development over mere grades.
KCPE Exam: The End of 8-4-4 Era.