The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) made a significant announcement on Wednesday, April 24, revealing plans for Grade 9 examinations to be conducted in select schools in June 2024.

During the Inaugural Annual Symposium on Competency-Based Assessment held at the College of Insurance in Nairobi's South C, KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere elucidated that the Grade 9 exams were an integral component of preparations for summative assessment at that academic level.

Njengere disclosed that the council was actively developing assessment tools for a pilot program set to be implemented in sampled schools in June. "By October, we will issue sample papers to inform every learner at Junior School of how they will be assessed at Grade 9," he affirmed.

The decision to introduce Grade 9 assessments aligns with recommendations from a 2012 task force aimed at redefining KNEC's role, transitioning from singular, terminal exams to fostering continuous assessment and nurturing each learner's potential.

As a consequence of this shift, students will no longer sit for the Kenya Certificate of Primary and Secondary Education examinations.

However, KNEC has not disclosed the specific schools selected to pilot the inaugural Grade 9 national assessment test.

Following the Grade 9 examinations, students will progress to senior school for their Grade 10, 11, and 12 studies. In senior school, students will have the autonomy to choose their career paths from distinct categories such as Arts & Sports Sciences, Social Sciences, or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Upon successful completion of Grade 12 studies, students will be eligible to pursue further education at colleges and universities of their preference, marking a pivotal transition in their academic journey.