KNEC: Grade Three National Exams to Commence This Year

Grade Three learners are set to start the Kenya Early Years Assessment towards the end of this year. The exams based on the new Competency-Based Curriculum are set for 16th – 20th September.

What is to be be assessed

The learners will be assessed in English, Mathematics and Integrated Learning to discern their ability to apply knowledge, skills and values taught.

“Apart from written tests, teachers can adopt oral tests for language proficiency, observation schedules and use of rubrics,” said Dr Karogo, acting CEO Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC). The use of rubrics helps students and teachers define “quality” over a given period.

“The ongoing education reforms call for a shift in the mode of instruction and assessment, with emphasis on the use of key inquiry questions for each topic,” Dr Karogo elaborated.
She also added that the assessment will be done at the end of each tier of education.

Moreover,  Cabinet Secretary George Magoha said the new curriculum will transform the country by identifying and nurturing students’ potential while still young.

READ MORE:Seven things to know about nominated Education CS Prof. George Magoha

New curriculum format

The new curriculum espouses the new 2-6-3-3-3 system. This involves: two years of pre-primary education, three years of lower primary, three years of upper primary, three years of lower secondary, three years of senior secondary and three years in tertiary education.

Since 1985, public education in Kenya has been based on an 8–4–4 system, with eight years of primary education followed by four years of secondary school and another four years of college or university.

Opposition by KNUT

The giant teachers’ union is opposed to the new curriculum out of apparent fear that it will kick out the role of teachers. But the brief by Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) revealed that the real reason for their incompetence of the Competency-Based curriculum is inadequate teacher training, poor infrastructure, lack of legal framework and huge budgetary .