Education CS Julius Ogamba pledges fair Senior School placement as officials prepare for more than one million KCSE candidates.
More than 2.5 million learners took national assessments this week, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has said. The Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) concludes on Friday, ahead of the main written KCSE examinations.
Ogamba said the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) had overseen a generally successful exercise across the country. However, teams faced isolated challenges involving adverse weather, administrative discrepancies and learners needing special arrangements, including medical attention.
National assessments guide Senior School placement
Despite those challenges, Ogamba said KNEC allowed every learner who reached their designated centre to sit scheduled papers. He also praised education officials, security agencies and other stakeholders for coordinating responses to the difficulties.
Their efforts helped ensure that no learner faced unnecessary disadvantage, the Cabinet Secretary said. The conclusion of KJSEA marks a milestone for Grade 9 learners preparing to enter Senior School in January 2027.
Ogamba said KJSEA results, together with school-based assessments, would help determine learners’ next educational steps. He assured families of an orderly, transparent and equitable placement process.
Placement will consider performance, learners’ interests, pathway choices and other applicable factors. The Ministry of Education will also communicate the relevant timelines and procedures through official channels, Ogamba said.
KCSE written examinations begin November 2
Meanwhile, preparations now turn to the main written Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations. The papers begin on Monday, November 2, and continue until November 20.
Ogamba said 1,048,355 candidates had registered for KCSE. He urged education officials and security agencies to prepare examination centres, deploy personnel and transport examination materials securely.
He also called for special attention to candidates with disabilities and those needing medical care. That support should extend to learners in areas facing adverse weather or other difficult circumstances.
The Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fair and secure examinations that uphold integrity. He also stressed the need to protect learners’ welfare throughout the assessment and examination period.
