The Ministry of Education has announced a new grading structure that will be implemented in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Examination.
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu said that effective this year, only two mandatory subjects would be required for computing the mean grade.
Previously, there were five mandatory subjects across three cluster groups that is Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, two sciences and one humanity.
Speaking on Monday during the launch of the 2023 National Examinations season, Machogu said that in the new grading system that will be applied to the 2023 KCSE examination, the only two mandatory subjects will be Mathematics and one language, (English, Kiswahili or Kenyan Sign Language).
“In addition to the two mandatory subjects – the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will consider any other five best performed subjects,” said Machogu.
It was expected that the new reform measure would increase the number of students qualifying for universities, Diploma and TVET training at Certificate and Artisan levels, CS Machogu said.
“The review of minimum entry requirements for preservice teacher education is underway for the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) and Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE),” he added.
According to the CS, the teacher trainees will now be admitted under a reviewed subject cluster requirements and grades.
Machogu explained that these were some of the recommendations contained in the report of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms that was received and released by President Dr William Ruto which were key in guiding the education sector in Kenya.
“The Working Party recommended leveraging technology at all levels of education by developing ICT infrastructure for curriculum and improve digital literacy among teachers, parents, and other stakeholders,” he said.
Machogu highlighted that KNEC in line with the global trends and expectations of the 21st Century has incorporated digital literacy by ensuring that the assessments for teacher trainees are conducted electronically.
“This will entrench digital literacy among the teachers and provide skills that the teachers can impart to the learners in our schools,” said the CS.
Machogu said that the Government is keenly monitoring the weather forecast reports to ensure necessary measures have been put in place to deal with any unfavourable conditions that could threaten the smooth delivery of the examination materials to some centres.
“We assure all Kenyans, parents, guardians, teachers, and candidates that the 2023 examination and assessments materials are safe and secure,” said Machogu.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
